[The link bar feature is not available in this web]

Spina Bifida Association of Western PA and the Woodlands Foundation

Are we related?

 Many ask us what the relationship is between the Spina Bifida Association of Western PA (SBAWP) and the Woodlands Foundation. We are related, much as a parent to a child -- a child that has grown, moved out of the house, and is developing his or her own successful life.

The Spina Bifida Association of Western PA

SBAWP created and began the development of the 32 acre campus that is now the Woodlands.  This campus now houses a multitude of facilities all accessible for persons with disabilities. The center includes camp-like dormitories for 50 children or adults on respite, dormitories for camp counselors who assist the campers, and an accessible, par three golf course. It also includes an aquatics center, dining hall with commercial kitchen, meditation center, a transitional living facility called the Gatehouse where young adults can learn how to live more independently, and multiple other facilities. In addition, a 14-unit apartment building called the Groves is currently under construction, and application is being filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to add another similar apartment building.

As this campus evolved over the years it required more and more time and staff to manage and maintain. The resources required to maintain and manage the facility began to distract the association from its mission to improve the quality of life for persons with spina bifida and their families. The facility had become so large and had developed to the extent where it was clear there was opportunity to serve a broader population of persons with disabilities.

In 1998, the Board of Directors of SBAWP, in accordance with its strategic plan, created and empowered The Woodlands Foundation, Inc. (WFI) to take over the management of the Woodlands.  In addition to marketing, managing, maintaining and endowing the property, the Woodlands Foundation continues to develop the property.  The Woodlands's mission is to enrich the lives of children and adults with disability and chronic illness and it does this by partnering with other nonprofit organizations to host camps, retreats and meetings.  The Spina Bifida Association of Western PA continues to be one of the principle users of the property.

SBAWP has refocused its efforts on serving persons with spina bifida (although as our facilities allow, we also serve people with other disabilities). The Gatehouse Life Skills and Pre-Vocational Training Program is a one-of-a kind residential program that provides a much needed stepping stone to young adults with disabilities venturing out on their own for the first time. Through this program young adults with spina bifida and related disabilities learn to live more independently.  Through real-life, hands-on experience they learn to cook, clean, and take care of themselves.  They are taught how to get a job and keep it, how to do their own budgets, how to get around, and how to develop social skills.  Some of the residents are in college, and almost all are employed; some at one of the stadiums as ushers, some as cashiers, some in data entry, and some at driver’s license centers, etc.

SBAWP serves as advocates for individuals with spina bifida along with the community including medical providers, schools and employers and helps to educate the medical community on matters specific to children with spina bifida.  

SBAWP also operates summer camps and year-round weekend retreats at the Woodlands' facilities to provide children, teens and adults with spina bifida and related disabilities with opportunities for social and recreational activities while providing respite for caregivers.

SBAWP provides on-going, life-long support to adults residing in communities throughout Allegheny County, including to residents in an apartment building near Passavant Hospital. This third-party-owned complex provides housing for people with spina bifida or other disabilities. SBAWP has offices on site and serve as advocates with the landlord and oversee the functioning of our placements.

The Woodlands Foundation, Inc.
134 Shenot Road 
Wexford, PA 15090

Phone: (724) 935-6533
Fax: (724) 934-9610

www.woodlandsfoundation.org

Spina Bifida Association of Western Pennsylvania
134 Shenot Road - Building One
Wexford, PA 15090

Phone: (800) 243-5787
Fax: (724) 934-9610
email: info@sbawp.org

www.sbawp.org

Please read our disclaimer