Strawberry Fields to turn vacated property on West Beaver Avenue into ‘Fairweather Lodge’
Local nonprofit Strawberry Fields is set to take over a property on West Beaver Avenue — and offer a unique program centered on supporting homeless adults with mental health needs — after formal approval Monday night from State College Borough Council.
The borough sought a nonprofit to take over the house at 515 W. Beaver Ave., after the personal care home that previously operated there — House of Care — dissolved last year following “insurmountable challenges” with staffing and long-term/low-income residents’ needs. Two local organizations, Out of the Cold: Centre County and Strawberry Fields, both proposed taking over the property.
Ultimately, the borough chose Strawberry Fields, which will receive a 40-year mortgage with a $1 annual fee.
“We’re very honored to be selected to be the organization that’s going to have the opportunity to renovate and bring this house back to life,” said Cindy Pasquinelli, CEO of Strawberry Fields. “The House of Care was a wonderful program that was loved by the community and had supporters up until the time they closed. And our hope is to use this program to help folks that need long-term housing and to hopefully bring that house back to a beautiful home.”
When Strawberry Fields’ newest property opens next year, it will operate as the organization’s second “Fairweather Lodge.” The program is designed for active members of society — those dealing with mental health issues — who want to live independently but struggle financially to do so. The “lodge” provides a place where residents create their own house rules and manage their own activities. Staff assist only when needed, and the goal is to help reintegrate residents into the community.
Pennsylvania is one of 16 states to champion the program, and the state Department of Human Services has provided funds for several such programs aimed at veterans. More than 90 Fairweather Lodges are in the U.S., according to the national organization Coalition for Community Living.
“To make a long story short and not to complicate it, the Fairweather Lodge is a living arrangement that provides a home as long as that individual needs it,” Pasquinelli added. “That’s it — as long as they need it.”
But, before the house is occupied by four residents, plenty of work is left to be done.
The property is in need of “extensive” repairs and upgrades like painting and appliances, Pasquinelli said. To help, the borough has made $100,000 available this year for rehabilitation, through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. And the borough and Strawberry Fields are expected to team up next year to raise an additional $60,000 to $100,000 for further renovation.
Pasquinelli anticipates beginning the search process for residents next spring.
According to a policy briefing summary from the borough, Strawberry Fields was chosen over Out of the Cold for several reasons — including the “innovative” Fairweather Lodge program, its experience managing similar properties and the fact $634,000 was provided to Out of the Cold in December for the purchase of a shelter on South Atherton Street.
Strawberry Fields also told the borough it will look for residents from its own clients and from community shelters, including Out of the Cold.
“I’m very familiar with both agencies. I volunteered a number of times for Out of the Cold and I served on Strawberry Fields for 30 years,” Councilman Peter Marshall said Monday. “Both agencies are very good. Strawberry Fields has extensive experience in operating group homes. They do a very good job. I think the recommendation from staff is the right one.”
Pasquinelli is eager to get started. She said she hasn’t had two minutes to sit down since Monday’s announcement, but she sees the future lodge as a positive — and-much needed — addition to the community.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” she added.
