With help of non-profit, revamped infirmary debuts

The student infirmary at GAR Services has been renovated for the first time since 1986.

Formerly known as the Glendale Assn. for the Retarded, GAR Services offers job placement and training to nearly 80 adults with developmental disabilities.

The infirmary equips GAR’s clients with a place to rest or tend to any medical needs.

“It’s the most utilized room,” said Salpi Kerkyasharian, a multi-cultural counselor for the nonprofit. “We have individuals who have seizures, cerebral palsy, trips, falls — injuries are common.”

Kerkyasharian was one of several members of Leadership Glendale, a group of local business and civic leaders sponsored by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, who took on the project.

They quickly got to work, raising nearly $4,000 from local donors that went to the Leadership Glendale Foundation. A handful of members then dedicated their weekends to rehabbing the room by stripping the dated wallpaper, painting the walls and refinishing the tile floor.

“When you have patients who are not feeling well, a little change of environment might boost their mood,” said Alen Andriassian, who participated in the project.

The team did what it could to prepare the room before a contractor installed cabinets and a nightstand. A new Murphy bed replaced the old one and a quieter fan was also installed.

Imperial Molding pitched in crown molding and Western Drug donated a new wheelchair.

On Tuesday, GAR Services held a modest celebration to debut the new room to its clients.

“They were very excited to see the door open and everything’s new,” said Leadership Glendale member Shant Sahakian.