A space to match organization's mission
Published On: February 1, 2023
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) works to eliminate systemic barriers and enhance programs so that people with disabilities can live the self-directed lives they choose.
DAKC is the largest provider of services for people with disabilities in Kent County, Michigan, serving over 6,000 individuals each year. They provide direct services such as employment training, education assistance, and recreation opportunities.
For the last 27 years, DAKC has operated from an outdated and maze-like office space, which made it difficult for the organization to serve its clients as well as they could have.
In order to create a welcoming environment for everyone, DAKC partnered with Custer to provide furniture for its new office space.
Our team worked closely with Mathison Mathison Architects and DAKC to create a space that matches the organization's mission. The 8,400 square foot space includes 24 offices, 15 workspaces, two conference rooms, and break areas. Mathison Mathison Architects selected interior finishes and our team worked with them to select furniture finishes to coordinate.
Disability Advocates is one of nine disability organizations occupying the former South Christian High School, which has now been transformed into the largest Special Olympics training and inclusion center in the world.
The new facility provides significantly more space for Special Olympics and Disability Advocates program staff, volunteers, and clients with disabilities. The new space will also allow the organization to build the area's first Occupational Therapy (OT) home accessibility center.