WESTMINSTER — Westminster Cares has finished moving into its new home at the Westminster Institute, 3534 Route 5 in Westminster Village, and is gearing up to invite the community to an open house.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit organization, which works with seniors and disabled adults in Westminster, is reflecting on its journey. It's come a long way since it was founded in 1988, when it operated out of the home of Karen Walter, one of its co-founders.
It had offices at the Westminster Motel for the past 13 years. In October, when it was notified that its side of the motel would be closed temporarily, it pursued other options.
Westminster Institute's board and a group of community members have been working to restore the Institute as the vibrant center of the community. On Nov. 10, it approved Westminster Cares' request to rent space within, and cleaned and painted the space in anticipation of its new tenant's arrival.
Director Donna Dawson staffs the Westminster Cares office, which is on the lower level of the Institute in the former “book sale” or “historical” room. She told The Commons her organization is thrilled to have found its new home for its office at the Institute.
“Providing services to seniors and those with disabilities from a central, accessible location is important to our work, and the Institute fit the criteria we were looking for,” she said.
According to U.S. Census figures, more than 16 percent of Windham County's population in 2013 were older than 65, an increasingly aging population, said Janice Wojcik, the Institute's board chair.
“To maintain strength in our communities and meet the needs of its people, we need to communicate, cooperate, and coordinate resources. This is our intent on partnering with Westminster Cares,” she said.
The new office is accessible through the rear door of the Institute. Walk straight back and turn to the right.
When Butterfield Library is open, visitors also can enter through the front of the building, turn left, and descend the stairs. The office is the first door on the left at the bottom of the stairs. There is a lift inside the entryway.
Office hours are listed as Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays by appointment.