Congresswoman Grace Meng recently visited the Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services’ residence for the developmentally disabled in Kew Gardens to commemorate $233,000 in funds she secured for upgrading the site.
The building, which opened in 1978 and is located on Kissena Boulevard, is a residence for 10 adult men with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The money will be used to overhaul its kitchen and bathroom facilities, and make them more accessible, particularly for older individuals and those with mobility issues including residents who use wheelchairs.
Ohel was founded in 1969 to provide foster care placement for Jewish families, and since then, it has grown into a full-service agency that meets the social and emotional needs of more than 23,000 individuals from all communities.
“The updates to our kitchen and bathroom facilities will go a long way toward improving the lives of our residents,” said David Mandel, CEO of Ohel. “We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Meng for obtaining these needed funds, and look forward to continuing to work with her.”
Meng, who is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said she was proud to have secured the important funding that will go toward upgrading key parts of Ohel’s Kew Gardens Hills location.
“It is critical for these rooms to meet the current needs of its residents, providing them with the necessities they require, and that includes modernizing and improving the mobility of the kitchen and bathroom facilities,” Meng said. “These much-needed renovations will make it easier for those residing here — now and in the future — to use these areas, which in turn will enhance their quality of life. I look forward to the project beginning soon.”
During her visit, Meng met with Ohel officials, the residents of the site, and several of their family members. The residents also presented Meng with an oversized ‘thank-you’ card they made to express their gratitude for the funding.
Meng secured the money in a recent federal spending bill.
