Under One Roof, Inc.™, an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit housing and day care sponsor, was formed for the purpose of developing and operating The Marvin, an intergenerational senior housing and child care initiative in Norwalk, CT. The Marvin opened in 1997 and offers quality, affordable congregate housing for senior citizens and an accredited school readiness child care program for young children. Both programs integrate a strong intergenerational component benefiting both the seniors and the children.

Both the senior housing and the child day care have developed positive reputations locally, within the State of Connecticut and nationally.

Description:
The Marvin represents an innovative approach to meet the needs and build on the strengths of both the very young and the elderly through an intergenerational program that offers quality, affordable congregate housing to senior citizens while providing an accredited school readiness, full day child care program to young children. Both programs integrate a strong intergenerational component benefiting both the seniors and the children.

Congregate housing is appropriate for many senior citizens who need occasional help, but do not require the breadth of services available at a nursing home. Congregate services are included for residents of The Marvin to assist them in remaining independent. Participation in the congregate services program is required. The Marvin''s congregate services include:
*One meal per day (dinner);
*Light housekeeping (weekly);
*24 hour emergency coverage;
*Linkages with city, state and private providers for support services.

In addition, affordable assisted living services are available to residents based on individual need. Social, recreational, educational and wellness activities and program are offered.

The Marvin Children's Center, a full day, NAEYC accredited school readiness childcare program for 3 and 4 year olds, opened in November 1998 in a separate wing of The Marvin. The Marvin Children's Center is managed by Bright Horizons Family Solutions.

The Marvin''s residents are encouraged to participate in many of the activities of the center. Both the residents of The Marvin and the children gain long-lasting benefits from sharing time together - providing enriched experiences not found in traditional housing or childcare facilities.

The success of The Marvin proves that dreams, visions and goals can become reality – with lots of hard work, commitment and steadfast drive. The Board of Directors and Staff of Under One Roof, Inc.™ have proclaimed a strong commitment to “Quality” in all we do and have unanimously adopted and supported a national “Quality First” initiative.

History:
The Marvin represents an innovative approach to meet the needs and build on the strengths of both the very young and the elderly through an intergenerational program that offers affordable congregate housing to senior citizens while providing a school readiness, full day child care program to young children.

The project offers a wide range of long-term benefits. The provision of affordable congregate housing and child day care addresses critical service shortages in Norwalk. The unique intergenerational component offers both the elderly residents and young children long-lasting benefits from sharing time together, providing enriching experiences not found in traditional housing or child care facilities. The project involved the rehabilitation of a vacant former school building, revitalizing a structure that was underutilized for 23 years. A large interior community space is available to residents and child care participants as well as local organizations offering compatible services and community-related functions.

The original Old Marvin School was constructed in 1898 and two additions were built during the 1930s. Composed of a brick and stone exterior, the building boasts neo-classical details and large double-hung windows that provide plenty of sunlight. The structure was used as a community grammar school until the early 1970s. Since that time, the Old Marvin School had been underutilized or vacant. The rehabilitation and conversion of the building have improved the physical appearance of the area, eliminated the risks posed by its vacancy, and revitalized the structure as a productive resource for the community.

Becker and Becker Associates, Inc., a development, planning and architectural firm, was chosen by the Norwalk Common Council in response to a Request for Proposals for a turnkey developer, property manager and architect to redevelop the former school building into elderly housing and a daycare center.

Under One Roof, Inc.™, an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization was established as the housing and day care sponsor. The City conveyed the property in 1993 for $1. Through a restrictive covenant recorded on the land records, the project will remain affordable for at least 40 years. The project was financed by a loan from the State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development, and private equity provided by Fannie Mae, utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Under One Roof, Inc.™ received grant financing from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Affordable Housing Program, facilitated with the assistance of Norwalk Savings Society. The Marvin is owned by "Gregory Boulevard Limited Partnership"", which was formed for the sole purpose of owning and operating The Marvin. Under One Roof, Inc.™ is the General Partner and Managing Agent of The Marvin and owner of The Marvin Children's Center.

The congregate housing component was completed in the spring of 1997 and includes the renovation of the former school building into residential program space and 14 housing units and the construction of 36 housing units in a new addition. All 50 units are handicapped accessible and include a dining/living room, bedroom, fully-equipped kitchen, bathroom and emergency call stations. There is a resident lounge on each floor, a library, art and activity rooms, laundry room and resident storage.

Congregate housing is appropriate for many senior citizens who need occasional help, but do not need the breadth of services available at a nursing home. Congregate services, including one meal per day, light housekeeping, 24-hour emergency coverage and linkages with City, State and private providers for support services, are provided for residents of The Marvin to assist them in remaining independent. Enhanced Core Services, including Health and Wellness Programming and Emergency Transportation were added in October 2000. The congregate services program is subsidized by the State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development's Congregate Services for the Frail Elderly. Funding assistance for the nutritional meal program is provided by the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging.

The Marvin Children''s Center opened in November 1998 and is funded by the State of Connecticut''s School Readiness and Child Day Care Grant Program. The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority provided tax-free municipal bond funds for the renovation of the 2,600 square foot space designated for The Marvin Children's Center. Under One Roof, Inc.™ is the owner and sponsor of The Marvin Children's Center. Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the nation''s leading provider of employer-sponsored childcare and early education, serves as the manager of The Marvin Children's Center. The program serves forty 3 & 4 year old children and offers NAEYC Accredited, affordable childcare, which will prepare children for entrance into kindergarten. The curriculum is tailored to the individual needs of each child and incorporates an appreciation of the resource available and the synergies that can result from involving the senior residents in the provision of day care.

Contact person: Mary Windt, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 203-854-4650

Address:

60 Gregory Boulevard Norwalk, CT 06855 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified