A Community Training Home at Sparrow Pointe in Lake City will be named in honor of Walter M. Sparrow, executive director of the Florence County Disabilities Foundation, at 2 p.m. today.
Sparrow has worked in the field of disabilities for 32 years. He was the first executive director of the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board when it was formed in 1982. He was named director of the foundation in 1995.
“It is truly an honor after all these years for the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board to name this home after me,” Sparrow said. “I’m honored to be a part of this agency and to have seen it grow. We are helping people with disabilities to become more independent in the community.”
The Sparrow Pointe home contains four bedrooms that are occupied by four men. Three assistants are available to help the men for eight-hour shifts around the clock.
“I like it here, it’s just great,” said Derrick Hardy, one of the residents. “I’ve got a TV in my room.”
Stephen Fincher is another resident. He had a pair of wrap-around shades dangling from a strap wrapped just so around his neck.
“Everything is going good,” Finches said. “I get to live here and work at the thrift shop in Lake City.”
Sandiago Singletary is the supervisor/coordinator at Sparrow Pointe.
“This (house) all came about because of the vision of Walter Sparrow,” Singletary said. “We have several CTH (Community Training Homes) in the area, but this is the first one to be named after him.”
Singletary said the main objective of those involved is to assist residents so that one day they will be able to go out on their own.
Meanwhile, when Sparrow was hired as the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board executive director in 1982, the board was serving about 75 people. Under Sparrow’s leadership, more than 1,000 people receive support from the board today.
Among others, Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board’s growth with Sparrow on board includes:
Opening the first supervised living apartment program in the Pee Dee in 1983.
Expanding services to provide respite care to people with disabilities in 1984.
Initiating the service coordination services program throughout Florence County in 1985 (these services were expanded to include people with autism and head and spinal cord injuries in 1993).
Beginning four Community Training Home programs in 1987.
Opening new Intermediate Care Facilities in Olanta, Timmonsville and Pamplico in 1990. One of the homes was the first in the Pee Dee to provide services for people with physical disabilities.
Securing U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for construction of two apartment complexes that were completed and opened in Florence and Lake City in 1994.
Sparrow also was instrumental in launching five thrift shops in Florence County that provide employment and training for 35 people employed by the board.
He also acts as public relations coordinator for the Florence County Disabilities Foundation.
IF YOU’RE GOING
WHAT: Community Training Home dedication
WHEN: 2 p.m. today
WHERE: Sparrow Pointe, 704 Twin Oaks Circle, Lake City
COST: Free
INFO: Call (843) 210-3171
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