Last Wednesday, birthday celebrations started when centre management invited people who had been involved with the centre for the past 40 years on a tour of the facility and to enjoy tea and refreshments with them.
The centre is a residential facility which caters for 115 people with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism and other physical and mental challenges.
Previously sponsored by the Eastern Transvaal Cerebral Palsy Association, the centre has grown from humble beginnings to a well managed care facility.
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Michelle Immelman, who has been the centre director for the past 10 years, says they offer a protected workshop for those who are capable, a stimulation programme and a haven for profoundly mentally handicapped people.
The centre caters for adults and children.
“The majority of our residents are unable to be educated and will never be able to go out and earn a living for themselves.
“They will forever need care, love and assistance and that is what they receive at the centre,” says Immelman.
She believes without the help and support of various businesses and individuals, they would not have come this far.
Ex-vice chairman of Eastern Transvaal Cerebral Palsy (now Gauteng Cerebral Palsy), Alf Cunnigham (73), welcomed everybody and praised Immelman for her involvement at the centre.
“She has done a lot more for the place than what people are aware of and is a very good fund-raiser,” says Cunnigham.
He also explains the centre has gone through some tough financial times, but managed to survive every time.
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Guests from Springs Park Rotary Club, businesses and individuals were taken on a tour to see the extensions to the facility over the years before they returned to the hall for tea and refreshments.
Vita Nova means “New Life”, but to the more unfortunate it will be the only home they will ever know.
Centre fund-raiser Marina Potgieter says they have quite a few exciting events planned to celebrate the centre’s birthday.
“With this welcoming event, we just wanted to say thanks to all the people who were involved and supported the centre for all these years,” she says.
A fun day will be held at the centre on May 6, with plenty of prizes.
History
The centre opened its doors in April 1977 and started in the old Daggafontein Mine offices as a day care centre for about 20 people.
Soon the numbers increased and construction work started to add more buildings to accommodate the demand, which lead to the centre changing into a full 24/7 operational facility.
The constitution changed in 1999 to cater for cerebral palsy children and the main focus was children from disadvantaged areas.
Since then, more buildings were added, including a men and women’s hostel, Sparrow hostel for the three to seven-year-old age group, the Squirrels hostel for seven to 14 years and the Bunny hostel for severely affected adults.
