
By Megan SaylesAFRO Workers Writermsayles@afro.com
The Pleasure Evans Therapeutic Recreation Middle, a $40.4 million venture, opened Dec. 23 in Ward 7. The 37,000-square-foot facility was developed to supply Washingtonians of all ages and talents with vital providers that strengthen bodily, cognitive and emotional wellness.
It’s named for a former resident of Forest Haven, a District-operated establishment for individuals with mental and developmental disabilities that closed in 1991 after accounts of neglect and abuse got here to gentle. Evans was eight when she entered Forest Haven and later died there at age 17 in 1976. She was the lead plaintiff in a category motion lawsuit filed in opposition to the town in 1976 for the ability’s inhumane remedy of residents.
Her sister, Carol Cunningham, gave remarks on the ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Evans’ birthday, for the brand new therapeutic recreation middle.
“It takes a village to lift a toddler, and I thank everybody that’s right here and anybody who’s labored with the constructing,” stated Cunningham. “This implies a lot to my household. My mother and father and the opposite mother and father from Forest Haven labored very laborious to shut Forest Haven and to have group houses for the children. I actually recognize all your assist.”

Evans’ landmark civil motion went on for 40 years, lengthy after her dying. In 2017, a federal choose vacated the lawsuit and ended courtroom supervision of D.C.’s take care of individuals with mental and developmental disabilities.
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The opening of the Pleasure Evans Therapeutic Recreation Middle marks an vital milestone within the District making wellness providers extra inclusive and accessible to all District residents. It options remedy, sensory and energetic rooms; a therapeutic pool and spa; kitchen; a senior and caregiver lounge; health middle; arts and crafts room; multipurpose areas and a full-size health club.
The campus additionally boasts two playgrounds, shade canopies, health gear, a splash pad, open park area and a sensory backyard.
Director of the D.C. Division of Getting older and Group Residing (DACL) Charon P.W. Hines stated the ability is an instance of the District’s dedication to creating areas the place each resident, no matter bodily or cognitive potential, can thrive.

“The Pleasure Evans Therapeutic Recreation Middle is a vital useful resource for older adults in Ward 7, the place entry to areas that promote wellness, connection, and group is important,” DACL Director Charon P.W. Hines advised the AFRO. “This middle was constructed to deal with the distinctive challenges many seniors and adults with disabilities face, from social isolation to restricted entry to leisure actions. By offering a welcoming area with options like a seniors’ lounge and multipurpose rooms, we’re guaranteeing that older adults on this group have the assist they should reside more healthy, extra linked lives.”
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Ward 7 Councilman Vincent C. Grey, who served as mayor of D.C. from 2011 to 2015, led the cost in naming the middle after Evans and helped to safe funding for the renovation. He additionally helped to cowl transportation for seniors and folks with disabilities to entry vital providers whereas the middle was being developed.
Grey, who introduced he was recognized with dementia in October, was not in attendance for the ribbon-cutting, however he shared a press release with the AFRO.
“We should always remember Pleasure Evans or the struggles she and lots of different individuals needed to endure,” wrote Grey. “In 2019, I efficiently handed laws to call our new therapeutic recreation middle to honor the energy and reminiscence of Pleasure Evans. It’s a nice pleasure to see this come to fruition. Individuals will use the middle to heal, develop, recreate and construct group.”