Five Acres to Dedicate New Research and Training Center

Five Acres child and family services agency will dedicate the S. Robert and Denise Zeilstra Research and Training Center on Thursday, March 11, 2010 (5:30 p.m.).  This highly anticipated building will house the research and training departments and address a critical space shortage.

“The new Zeilstra Research and Training Center represents the foundation that enables Five Acres to achieve our mission to help children become caring and productive adults.   We are committed to measuring outcomes through program evaluation, research and continuous quality improvement.   These inform the professional development that produces best practices in services to vulnerable children and families,” said Executive Director Robert A. Ketch.

The building includes a state-of-the-art meeting room for training staff from Five Acres as well as those from other agencies and the county in evidence-based practices for the most effective treatment of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families.

The completion of this project was made possible by many generous donors – the Weingart, Ahmanson, Parsons and Rose Hills foundations, Anne and Courtney Marculescu, Harriet and Jim Fullerton, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Denise and Robert Zeilstra for whom the building is named.

The 2600-square-foot craftsman-style building was designed by Fred Wesley of PBWS Architects.  Wesley mindfully employed many ‘green’ aspects such as permeable paving and wide eaves over the windows to prevent direct sunlight.  The building also features ample exterior usable space, a 40-car parking lot and a full-size California basement for storage.

Five Acres, founded in 1888 as one of Los Angeles’ first orphanages, is a child and family services agency that strengthens families and prevents child abuse through  residential care and education, mental health services in homes and schools, foster care and adoptions, and domestic violence prevention. The agency serves more than 4,000 children and families throughout Southern California annually.

For more information about attending the building’s dedication, call Margaret Morici at 626.798.6793 x2244.