Diamond Electric shines up space to serve individuals with special needs
Electrical improvements are just one reason Diamond Electric was connected to a project that transformed an Austintown building into a welcoming, accessible space for individuals with special needs, their families and caregivers.
The local chapter of Special Touch Ministry will operate out of the Kirk Road building, and electrical work recently included lighting and emergency upgrades, outlet and feed repairs. Diamond Electric donated the labor, while Caperes Distribution supplied materials for the project.
The faith-based organization, headquartered in Wisconsin, provides programming for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities and their families or caregivers.
Duane and Tracie Corll have operated Special Touch Ministry through Highway Tabernacle Church in Austintown for the last 13 years. However, the ministry outgrew the space at the church, creating the need for a larger facility to expand events and other activities.
Electrical connection that counts
Jim Nagy, co-owner at Diamond Electric, has attended Highway Tabernacle for about 20 years, making the project more personal to him.
“It felt like it was meant to happen this way,” Nagy said. “We had an opportunity to help out, and everything just came together.”
Before becoming the headquarters for Special Touch, the building was a fast-food restaurant and later used for medical purposes.
Kory Cooper, Nagy’s brother-in-law and journeyman electrician, does part-time work with Diamond Electric and helped coordinate much of the project. Cooper is currently the electricity instructor at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.
“When we first got here, there was a lot to sort through,” Cooper said. “We had electrical feeds sticking out of the wall, X-ray machines and remnants from the previous use.”
Crews addressed outlets and electrical feeds before moving on to the lighting and the rest of the upgrades.
“The drop ceiling made it nice to get things in and out, and they already had good electrical lines run,” Cooper said.
Room to recharge
Now that Special Touch has more room, the facility will include activity areas, a sensory room, space for parents and caregivers, and three accessible restrooms.
The organization also hosts a weeklong summer camp, respite activities and Night to Shine, a prom experience for individuals with special needs.
For the Corlls, the added space means being able to reach more individuals while giving families and caregivers something they don’t often have – time for themselves.
“Some parents are with their kids 24/7, and they don’t get a break,” Duane Corll said. “This is a way we can give them that hour or two to themselves.”
Good energy in giving back
With the electrical work and materials covered, Special Touch was able to keep more of its resources focused on the individuals, families and services it supports.
For Diamond Electric, lending a hand in industry and community made the project even more meaningful.
The contribution also came during a period of growth for the company. Nagy pointed to increasing service calls and recently making a few new hires.
“We’ve been blessed with work, so it’s nice to bless others however we can. That’s the whole point of this,” Nagy said.
Diamond Electric is a member contractor of NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association consisting of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.
