By YVETTE SAARINEN
Of the News-Register

Cindy Miller carefully descended the steps of the big, boxy van, her white cane in her right hand, her left hand outstretched to feel the boundaries of the stairwell.

She and her pals in Mid-Valley Rehabilitation's Quest program, which provides outings and social events for clients with developmental disabilities, stopped by to check out the progress of two new group homes being built on Valley's Edge Street in McMinnville's west hills.

Companion Myra Robles of the Quest support staff let her know when she was one step away from the ground.

David Wiegan, Mid-Valley's executive director, was on hand to give her a personal tour. He told her the driveway was rocky, and there were some building supplies lying about, but she could make it if she took it easy and listened to Myra.

Cindy eventually negotiated the one big step into the home, which still is in the framing stage. Wiegan then painted a picture in words for the blind middle-aged woman, whose glossy, black hair sets off an engaging smile.

Wiegan told her the bedrooms are angled, the doors are extra wide to accommodate wheelchairs and there are no narrow hallways. The spacious kitchen opens onto to a great room or living room, where residents can relax or socialize.

"Can my piano come along?" Cindy asked.

Wiegan said the two bathrooms are sized to accommodate wheelchairs.

"Are they ready yet?" Cindy asked. "I need to use one!"

Wiegan said the unit also features a Jacuzzi whirlpool. Asked if she knew what that meant, she said, "If I put on my swimming suit, I can go in the Jacuzzi!"

Wiegan pointed out the five skylights embedded in the pitched ceilings and the commercial-level laundry room. He told her about the patio in the back yard, where they can sit in the sun. He said each house is completely fenced, but a neighborly gate connects them.

The two houses are mirror images of each other, but they feature distinctive exteriors, so look quite different. Lisa Stonebridge of Design Alliance chose color schemes that would give each its own personality.

The houses were designed by architect James Ruggles of rural McMinnville, who used a group home in La Grande as a model. Each unit encompasses 2,300 square feet, not counting the garage. John Mead of Cellar Ridge Custom Homes handled the construction.

In the entryway to the house where Cindy will live, the walkway will be paved with more than 100 bricks, each imprinted with the names of its donors. Mid-Valley was able to raise $10,000 through the sale of personalized bricks.

The new homes will house Mid-Valley clients who were never able to hold or can no longer hold, due to medical issues, one of the many jobs the organization provides.

The new homes replace two aging ones that presented physical challenges to the residents. One, on Evans Street, will be sold to help pay for the new ones.

The new residences are designed to respect privacy while keeping the residents as independent as possible, Wiegan said.

Mid-Valley's board decided at its annual retreat of 2005 to commit to the project. The board members themselves donated more than $22,000 to the cause.

With the help of several grants and donations, Mid-Valley had raised $894,000 by February - enough to proceed.

Cindy wondered if her new home would be ready by her birthday. She turns 51 later this month.

Wiegan told her the homes won't be ready until October.

"It's still going to be neat!" Cindy said as she headed back to the bus.

CUTLINE