By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKTON — Goldie Floberg has gifted the center where it spent 50 years to the village of Rockton, which is in the early stages of planning to reuse the space as a community building.
The nonprofit, which works to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities, has relocated its offices from the campus at 58 E. Rockton Road to 4960 E. State St. in Rockford.
The organization was ready to downsize its space because, as best practices evolved, the children living in the center moved into integrated group homes about a decade ago.
“A lot of memories have been made in this building, that is for sure,” John Pingo, president and CEO of Goldie Floberg, said in a news release.” “But the cost of the utilities, maintaining, and improving the facility gave us a clear vision that we would move our administrative staff to a smaller location.”
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Goldie Floberg’s board of directors approved gifting the campus to the village of Rockton at its Feb. 28 meeting.
“The people of Rockton and the surrounding communities have been so good to Goldie Floberg — and the people we serve — throughout our years here,” said Scott Krowczyk, president of the board. “We are committed to leaving the property in good hands with a great future and couldn’t think of a better recipient of the gift of this campus than the community itself.”
The village is in the planning stages of a multiuse community building. Village officials say one use will be for additional administrative offices.
“We are grateful to Goldie Floberg for this gift and appreciate the additional space we will be able to afford certain departments. After some renovations, we plan to have space available for community use too,” Village President John Peterson said in a news release. “Additionally, we know the village is in desperate need of more small-scale neighborhood parks, so one of our top priorities is investing in the passive recreational potential for families.”
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Goldie Floberg moved to the center in 1970 after Goldie B. Floberg, a juvenile probation officer and children’s activist for whom the organization is named, identified the location and helped fundraise for its purchase.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.