United Cerebral Palsy of Central California is opening a new 40,000-square-foot campus designed to transform the lives of adults with disabilities, offering enriching activities and specialized support.

The facility — the first of its kind in California — provides a one-stop space where folks with disabilities can access life skills, training, healthcare, and a vibrant community.

“We provide a safe, engaging, nurturing environment for individuals with disabilities to spend their day and to receive services that help with their health and skills, training, and just making sure that their quality of life is good,” said Kelly Cunningham, director of adult program services.

The new center is designed to serve 95% of adults with a broad range of disabilities, including intellectual, developmental, and physical challenges.

Provides a Respite for Primary Caregivers

But the free program, funded through state and federal streams, extends beyond typical care. It offers a safe and inclusive environment conducive to growing bonds and improving attendees’ overall well-being.

And the six-hour care days, spanning Monday to Friday, provide respite for primary caregivers, who often experience burn-out and identity loss.

“If I want to be able to do anything during the day, accomplish anything, I need to have someone caring for him. And so, for me, it’s been a real lifesaver to have this resource. And one that he seems to truly enjoy,” said Wendy Wagner, a parent of a UCP+ student. “I can, how do I say, almost like I can have an identity besides being a caregiver.”

The center has the capacity to serve about 240 students — double the number UCP+ serves at its current 14,500-square-foot building in Fresno.

“Our best interest really is to continue to grow the community within these rural counties,” said Executive Director Rodger Slingerman. “That money again goes back to the staff, goes back into the community.”

The building will open later this month on Nees Avenue near Maple Avenue in north Fresno, Slingerman said.

New Campus Features Expanded Care and Bigger Classrooms

Fresno has long struggled with fragmented services for adults with disabilities. The new campus offers a centralized solution — uniting critical resources and fulfilling opportunities.

A dual-access teaching kitchen, designed for both ambulatory and non-ambulatory students, will allow everyone to develop life skills through the culinary program.

Additionally, the new center will expand UCP+ art programs with its larger pottery area and new stage for community performances. Other programs offered at the facility include singing, exercise, and gardening.

The center will feature a student art store where student artwork is showcased and sold to the public.

There will be 12 modern changing rooms, reducing wait times and enhancing the privacy of each individual. On-site nursing support will be available, ensuring all students receive care as they navigate their daily programs.

UCP+ Impact on Students and Families

Patricia Fields began attending the UCP+ program 20 years ago, starting out as a timid student. Now, a room in the new center is named after her.

Fields is an avid participant in the preforming arts, particularly musicals which allow her to sing.

“I remember when I first came here, I was in this class and we did the routine at Roger Rocka’s Theater,” Fields said. “When I went up there, it was exciting for me. It was just really nice.”

The program and staff have helped her to overcome her shyness, she told GV Wire. Over time, she gained friends at the center and built a great relationship with the staff.

Fields also has a passion for yoga, which she started at 15 years old. At the center, she teaches a Tuesday afternoon yoga class named “Patty’s Yoga Poses” that currently has four students, she said. And Fields enjoys working on multiple art projects through the program.

Other students, such as Wagner’s son Colby, simply like to explore.

“He wants to wander the halls, go to the gym, he wants to walk into people’s offices and they’re just accommodating of that,” Wagner said.

In the past, Wagner worried about Colby’s sensory issues, which sometimes cause him to act out. But she has “no doubt” that Colby is being treated well at UCP+, which he always seems excited to attend.

Program leaders even hired an outside aide who is familiar with Colby.

“(The aide) kind of knew how to deal with him. And so, they’ve hired her, and she’s been his aide ever since,” Wagner explained. “They’ve accommodated him, and it’s just been amazing to me that they were willing to do that.”

UCP+ Welcomes Greater Community Involvement

The UCP+ center aims to break down barriers between the larger community and folks with disabilities, increasing engagement opportunities.

“There’s always that stigma,” Slingerman said. “We want people from the outside community to come see and get a better understanding of it. We just want people to feel more comfortable, is really what it comes down to.”

UCP+ built a student plaza and multi-purpose room for community events, hoping to strengthen relationships. The building will be open on weekends for families and the community, and the pottery studio will be open later in the day for the public.

Additionally, the new facility will feature a café, available to attendees and the community.

Slingerman plans to build ties outside of the facilities as well — envisioning watch parties and working with outside community events. This includes the arts program working with ArtHop or the center selling items grown in their gardens at farmers markets.