From left, CEO Phil Acord with Scott and Lisa Maclellan
Ribbon cutting
Ribbon cutting
Chambliss Center for Children Residential Program staff, from left, Tobe Taylor, Liz Blasbery and Jon Berestecky
Living room of transitional living unit
Kitchen of transitional living unit
Bench with dedication to Robert L. and Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation and The Maclellan Foundation, Inc.
The transitional living units
Chambliss Center for Children celebrated the completion of their new Transitional Living residences Tuesday with a ribbon cutting and community picnic.
Located across the street from Chambliss Center for Children’s main campus in Brainerd, the two duplexes, each with two one-bedroom units, are part of the agency’s new Transitional Living Program. The program is designed to assist youth “aging out” of the foster care system. In addition to housing, this program offers counseling and training in basic life skills, such as financial planning and budgeting, cooking, interviewing and job readiness skills.
Youth from throughout the state are eligible to apply for the program. Funding for the duplexes was provided by the Robert L. & Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation and The Maclellan Foundation, Inc.
“We are very excited to complete these units,” said Gloria Miller, vice president of Special Projects for Chambliss Center for Children. “There is a tremendous need to support children during their transition from foster care in to adulthood. We are so thankful to Scott Maclellan and his leadership in getting us the funding for the project.”
Tuesday’s event featured remarks from Chambliss Center for Children Board Chairman Paul Fitzgerald, CEO Phil Acord, Residential Program Executive Director Liz Blasbery, VP of Special Projects Gloria Miller and Scott Maclellan with the Robert L. & Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation and The Maclellan Foundation Inc. Representatives from the surrounding neighborhood associations were also in attendance.
Following the remarks and ribbon cutting, attendees were offered tours of the duplexes and treated to a community cookout by The Feed Co. and sponsored by Russ Blakely & Associates.