Cardinal Services is currently renovating and adding on to its building at 504 N. Bay Drive, Warsaw. The project is expected to be finished in August. With the project, Cardinal’s RedBird Art Studio, through which Cardinal clients create artwork, moved into a larger space, which is shown above.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Cardinal Services should finish its construction project in September.

That’s according to Cardinal Services Executive Director Vickie Lootens.

She said the project at 504 N. Bay Drive, Warsaw, “is 75% complete.” It started in May 2022.

The main part of the project is “a community center that provides day services and a club room model,” said Lootens.

“This means that we will have dedicated spaces for various activities that support the growth, development and well-being of the individuals we serve. The club rooms will enable us to host group activities, meetings, workshops and other events that encourage collaboration and interaction within the community,” she added.

“This renovation project is aimed at creating a modern, inclusive space that meets the immediate needs of our community and presents new opportunities for growth and enrichment,” said Lootens. “The renovated facility will have various club rooms that cater to the interests and talents of the individuals we serve. Some of our immensely popular club rooms include culinary arts, performing arts (in partnership with Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts) … Redbird Art Studio and modeling.”

Other parts of the project are a gaming room “which will provide social, entertainment and employment opportunities,” said Lootens.

“This club room will incorporate game-based learning, a gamification curriculum and a virtual reality component featuring over 250 simulations focused on manufacturing, health care and hospitality,” she added. “These simulations will help individuals develop the necessary skills for potential employment opportunities.”

There will also be a fitness and wellness club room and a 3,000-square-foot opportunity lab.

Lootens said the lab “is specifically designed to address those job openings in highest demand in our community, including manufacturing, health care and hospitality.”

“Our goal is to provide individuals with valuable hands-on experience and prepare them for successful careers in these industries,” she said.

The renovation also includes a café with a full kitchen and a grocery store.

“This hands-on training will prepare (clients) for careers in the culinary industry, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed,” said Lootens of the café.

She added the grocery store will also help individuals prepare for jobs.

“In the manufacturing area, we will train and prepare certifications for real manufacturing jobs in our community,” said Lootens. .

Lootens said both Cardinal clients and non-clients can work to achieve their certified nursing assistant certification through a class offered in renovated space.

Overall, Lootens said the goal of the renovation project is “to provide more opportunities for the people we serve and those opportunities will help them be active members of their community.”

To pay for the project, Lootens said Cardinal has had an $8 million fundraising campaign.

A beam which was signed during the project.

Cardinal staff now have a larger space for meetings due to the project.