Upstate Partners launch The Jericho Project

The Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs and Anderson County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, Southern Wesleyan University and the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs are coming together to create “The Jericho Project,” a housing community to serve individuals with special needs or disabilities and SWU students committed to mentoring and assisting these individuals. Each resident will be paired with a Southern Wesleyan University student mentor. The Jericho Project will prepare its special needs and disabilities residents to live more independent lives and provide to the involved students a life learning experience that will guide them throughout the rest of their lives. It’s a “win-win” for both. Opportunities for the community’s residents will include the ability to attend SWU classes, if able, the ability to utilize Rickman Library, the ability to dine with students, the ability to work on or off the SWU campus, the ability to utilize the Catbus system, the ability to join in with ministry teams and/or music groups and the ability to attend university chapels, the ability to participate in student activities, including Homecoming, intramurals, volunteer service and other opportunities, the ability to benefit from SWU student projects (special education, social sciences, business, ministry, etc.), and the ability to benefit from opportunities to experience intergenerational learning. Southern Wesleyan University announced the development of the first of three phases of a special needs housing community March 14, 2016. Initial phase involves building one four-bedroom unit, seven two-bedroom units and two one-bedroom units. The units will house a total of 11 residents with disabilities and/or special needs and nine students. All units will have fully ADA compliant restrooms, fully ADA-equipped kitchens and laundry areas and common space. Included will be an administrative office, training/meeting room, elevator, covered van drop-off portico, outdoor pavilion and a quarter-mile walking trail. Housing will be under direct management of PCBDSN. Initial phase will cost $2 million. Acanthus Architects, LLC, designed the 9,371 square-foot fully ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliant facility. Housing will be constructed on a 3.4 acre tract between Wesleyan Drive and College Street owned by the university, made available through a long-term lease. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Feb. 27, 2017 and the projected completion date is January of 2018. More details can be found at www.jerichoatswu.org.