Ground was broken Monday for a residential complex in Bowling Green that will provide living, working, and recreational space to adults on the autism spectrum.
The residential buildings for LifeWorks at WKU will be located on Adams Street, near the campus of Western Kentucky University. Existing apartment buildings are being renovated for the project, with six residents scheduled to move in next fall.
“At WKU, we work to transform the lives of our students and elevate our community,” President Timothy Caboni said. “Public-private partnerships, such as this, are incredibly important to our efforts in accomplishing our mission.”
The goal of the program is to help adults on the autism spectrum learn how to live independent and productive lives, including assistance with gaining employment.
“LifeWorks at WKU will join the ranks of pioneers in providing programming and support for individuals on the autism spectrum as they transition to adult life and navigate the work world independently,” said Mary Lloyd Moore, Executive Director of the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex. “The impact of the LifeWorks at WKU program could be transformational for individual participants, their families and the WKU community.”
The program will have 26 residents at full capacity.