Montclair Building Owner Inspired By Daughters, Seeks Tenants Who 'Empower' Disabled

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Wendy Lacey has a mission: to create a “cornerstone” - for people of all abilities - at her building at 198 Bellevue Avenue.

A Montclair property owner with four children – one of whom has Down syndrome – Lacey recently decided to make a difference by creating a space where social justice warriors can flourish.

And so began Cornerstone Montclair.

Lacey said that she offers “attractive lease rates” at her building to businesses, nonprofits and individuals who provide job opportunities, professional services and educational/recreational activities that empower people with disabilities.

The building also has a large, multi-use room on the second floor that is leased on an hourly basis, where tenants can hold small events social opportunities that are welcoming for a wide range of people, particularly people who have disabilities, Lacey told Patch.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page here.

“We hope to provide a model to demonstrate to our community that these types of opportunities can work for all of our residents if we think creatively and work collaboratively,” Lacey said.

“People with disabilities aren’t satisfied sitting on the sidelines,” Lacey emphasized. “They find fulfillment in the same things their non-disabled peers do: they want to be contributors, they want to work, they want to be healthy and have fun. Perhaps most importantly, they want to have friends and feel comfortable and welcome where they live.”

• See related article: Chasing Iron Man: Exoskeleton Empowers Teen [VIDEO]
• See related article: Paper Mill Playhouse Praised For Autism-Friendly Mary Poppins Show (VIDEO)

The issue hits home for Lacey, whose 13-year-old daughter, Evelyn, has Down syndrome.

“As Evelyn grows into a lovely, complicated young woman, we have started to look more and more towards her future in Montclair and what will make her life fulfilling and happy,” Lacey said. “Montclair’s reputation as a community that is open minded and inclusive is what brought us here, and it is a characteristic that we want to work to enhance and improve.”

Learn more at Cornerstone’s website here.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Wendy Lacey