Nonprofit Spotlight- Wabash Center, Inc.

Angela Arlington – Community Engagement Coordinator – Writer and Contributor

“Since 1953, Wabash Center has been providing services in support of our mission to optimize the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities or special needs,” shares Jason McManus, Chief Executive Officer.

Wabash Center comes from humble beginnings. The origin of the organization can be traced to a core group of families with children who had special needs. Discouraged by the lack of resources and options available to them and others like them they placed an ad in the Journal and Courier in 1952 seeking other families dealing with the same challenges. It was an attempt to find strength in numbers and to create services where none existed before. “Today, Wabash Center has grown into a comprehensive service provider for those with disabilities or special needs that is leading the way to supporting individuals in their pursuit of quality of life for them and their families,” Jason explains.

Wabash Center offers services covering the full continuum of needs: from school-aged children newly diagnosed on the autism spectrum to older adults and nearly everything in-between. This includes after-school and summer programming for children and young adults, day programs, employment services, community-based staffing and support, transportation and residential services.

“Wabash Center prides itself on providing the right amount of services and supports at the right time to meet the needs and challenges that those we serve and their families face, including helping families navigate the complex process of applying for the Medicaid Waiver, transitioning from school to young adulthood, and finding and maintaining meaningful employment.”

Highlighted Services:

• Youth services located at Grant’s House:

• After School

• Emerging Adults

• Camp 54

• Employment Services:

• Job coaching and follow along

• Interview preparation

• Disability benefits

• Rights counseling

• Community Stewardship:

• Guardianship Services: providing guardians to assist the most vulnerable in their time of need.

“Wabash Center also serves the Northwest Indiana region in Lake, Porter, Jasper and Newton counties through a satellite office located at 11055 Broadway, Condo C Crown Point, Indiana 46307. From this location we provide Supported Living and Family Supports services that offer individualized supports to maximize independence. These services include Supported Living, community integration activities, transportation and respite. In addition, we offer a summer program, Summer Adventures, for school-age individuals up to age 22,” Jason explains.

Wabash Center has helped individuals and families throughout the years. “It takes a community, including friends, advocates, natural supports and volunteers. Anyone interested in participating in our mission of service can learn more at www.wabashcenter.com.”

Testimonial: “Wabash Center’s importance in our community really can’t go overstated. All of us probably know somebody in our family whose lives have been touched by Wabash Center over the past 65 years – I know I personally have.”

– Mayor Tony Roswarski, City of Lafayette