United Cerebral Palsy Moving to Swissvale

The third largest disability services provider in Western Pennsylvania is moving to South Braddock Avenue.

The 32,000 square foot building, formerly the Center for Creative Learning, will become Centre II, the administrative and fiscal headquarters of the United Cerebral Palsy/Community Learning and Support Services.

Since 1980, the population UCP/CLASS serves has expanded from 400 to 4,000, while its budget has increased from just over $700,000 to more than $26 million. Its Attendant Care Program, which in 1998 served less than 200 people, now provides daily in-home assistance to more than 1,000.

Due to the drastic increases in need, UCP/CLASS has outgrown its current Oakland headquarters on Centre Ave. and now plans a move to Swissvale.

"Just as our Community Services Center in Oakland helped transform that community, we hope to help Edgewood, too," said Dr. Al Condeluci, UCP's CEO.

The majority of the 354 full-time staff members, currently stationed in offices scattered across the city, will converge under one roof. Condeluci said the move will bring a boost to the business districts of Edgewood, Swissvale and Regent Square. He also noted that it will bring a new type of diversity to the neighborhood.

"As our associates use the restaurants, shops and public accommodations, disability will become more commonplace," Condeluci said. "That's the goal of our advocacy -- to sensitize more people to the disabled community."

UCP/CLASS operates under the slogan, "A community where each belongs." That, said COO Jeff Parker, is what UCP/CLASS aims to build and sustain. The UCP Center in Oakland is not only a polling place, but also hosts art shows and conferences. After the grand opening, Parker said, Centre II in Edgewood will also become a space for the community to gather.

"It's about inclusivity," she said. "We hope Centre II will bring Edgewood, Swissvale and Regent Square closer together."

Construction on Centre II will begin this winter and is expected to wrap up for a June 2011 grand opening with the UCP/CLASS sixtieth anniversary gala.