Grand Opening Includes Ribbon Cutting & Guided Tours, Center Provides Training to Live Independently

Pittsburgh (Dec. 8, 2023) – Voices for Independence/TRPIL Community Center announced today they formally opened a newly renovated building with a ribbon cutting ceremony and guided onsite tours of the 28,000-square-foot facility located at 42 W. Maiden Street, in downtown Washington, PA. The Center will offer training to individuals with disabilities on how to live independently.

Local elected officials, Chamber of Commerce members, community partners and others attended the grand opening. The renovated space—a former historic YMCA building—includes a new internet café, a new health and wellness center, and a new accessible training kitchen designed so that individuals with disabilities or mobility issues can learn how to safely navigate and feel comfortable doing so.

"We are thrilled to finally be able to open our doors to the public and let them see what Voices for Independence/TRPIL can do for them. The support that we’ve received from the community, including our good friends at UPMC Community HealthChoices, has already been an incredible experience," said Shona Eakin, Executive Director, Voices for Independence. "We are truly excited for the opportunity to offer services and support for individuals with disabilities in bigger ways than ever before."

Funding for a significant portion of the renovations came from UPMC Community HealthChoices (CHC), a managed care organization (MCO) that coordinates medical care and long-term for individuals who qualify for Medicaid and may also qualify to receive home and community based and other services.

"We are proud to support Voices for Independence. They have been an incredible partner to us. We have had a long-standing relationship with VFI that since the start of CHC has only expanded and we are very proud to be able to deepen that partnership with the work they are doing at the center. Because we know that inclusive healthcare provides everyone with the same access to maintain and improve their health. When individuals with disabilities can live independently within their home, we are ensuring everyone has equity and everyone matters," said Brendan Harris, Vice President, UPMC Community HealthChoices.

###

About Voices for Independence

Voices for Independence (VFI) was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in December 1993 by a group of individuals with disabilities who wanted to create an alternative to the existing service and advocacy options available to them at the time. Their goal was to provide independent living supports and services that are consumer driven, and responsive to and respectful of people with disabilities.

About UPMC Insurance Services

UPMC Insurance Services serves nearly 4.5 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. UPMC Insurance Services provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners^®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.

Voices for Independence/TRPIL Community Center Opens Newly Renovated Space to Support Individuals with Disabilities