Puzzle Pieces celebrates new satellite facility with ribbon cutting
Members of the community came together during lunchtime on Friday to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony, organized by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, for a new
satellite building for the nonprofit agency Puzzle Pieces, located at 2430 New Hartford Road that used to house a Rite Aid pharmacy.
Puzzle Pieces is a nonprofit organization in the Daviess County community that provides support to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The organization’s mission promotes
learning independence and life skills while providing access to the community and community involvement through improving social interaction, communication skills and self-worth in
those individuals. Clients are also encouraged to build trusting relationships with staff members, peers and community members.
The organization currently serves around 430 clients from Daviess County and surrounding communities, including individuals from Southern Indiana.
Amanda Owen, the founder and executive director of Puzzle Pieces, said that more than $1 million dollars was utilized for the building’s renovations.
“And the renovations would haven’t been possible without contributions from the Hager Foundation,” she said.
Owen explained that Puzzle Pieces currently operates out of a 27,000-square-foot facility across the street from the new satellite location, 2401 New Hartford Road.
“So, what better location for our new satellite office than right across the street from our current facility?” she asked the crowd.
The new location, Owen explained, will provide services to younger individuals on the autism spectrum.
Blair Neighbors, the director of autism services with Puzzle Pieces, said that clients range in age from “around 4-years-old to high school graduation, which could be age 21, depending on the individual client.”
Owen said that the Puzzle Pieces current location will transition to providing services to more adult clients.
The new facility is divided into individual classrooms which are attached to larger, common rooms with couches for lounging and tables to complete activities. Sensory rooms have also been installed for the benefit of the clients and there’s a cafeteria for serving snacks and meals.
Owen said that “sweat equity” has gone into the project from members of the community, including the board and her own family members.
“We couldn’t have accomplished this without all of the help from our families and members of the community,” Owen said.
The new building, according to Neighbors, looks to support over 100 clients with intellectual disabilities.
“Our goal is to help our clients with achieving their independence in hopes that they won’t need us anymore,” Neighbors said. “We also want to offer opportunities for them to create friendships and learn skills to help them blend into the community and become self-sufficient adults.”
Neighbors said that the new facility will allow clients to maintain a proper schedule and provide more resources for care opportunities so that clients can work on goals and skills.
Puzzle Pieces’ behavior services director Olivia Hardy said that she’s looking forward to expanding the organization’s early intervention program.
“It’s important for us to start working on communication and emotional regulation skills as early as possible to see success in our clients,” she explained.
Overall, Owen expressed how thankful she is for all of the community support that Puzzle Pieces receives.
“One in 44 people will be diagnosed with autism,” she said. “And here at Puzzle Pieces, we’re not done helping and providing services. Our mission still isn’t finished.”
More information about Puzzle Pieces and the organization’s mission can be found on the nonprofit’s website, puzzle-pieces.org.
By Michelle Ruxer Messenger Inquirer