Barber National Institute

A nonprofit organization
Fundraise



  • At Barber National Institute, we know that a safe and welcoming home is the foundation of a thriving life. For the adults with intellectual disabilities we serve, our residential community homes are more than just buildings.  They are homes where routines are built, relationships flourish, and independence is supported. 


    Across Pennsylvania, 303 adults live in 92 community group homes – 55 in Erie, 31 in Philadelphia and 6 in Pittsburgh. Residents range in age from 19-95, many with complex medical and behavioral needs that require specialized care, consistency, and a familiar environment to thrive.


    Everyone Deserves the Right to Age in Place with Dignity  


    Aging in place means investing in accessible kitchens and bathrooms, lift systems, floor plan modifications and other physical adaptations to ensure they can remain safe and comfortable in their home.


    But, as with any home, time brings the natural need for updates. Roofs wear out. The floor becomes uneven. Bathrooms become harder to navigate. Flooring becomes uneven. Bathrooms become harder to navigate.Barber National Institute is committed to helping our adults age in place with dignity, but the reality is that public funding falls short of what's needed. 


    Why this Project? Why Now? 


    The $1M Strengthen Foundations: Home Renovation Campaign will renovate and restore several of our community homes in Erie County. These critical updates will improve safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and comfort for the individuals who live there – many of whom have been part of the Barber family for decades. 


    This is not about beautifying buildings. It’s about making homes safer, healthier, and more sustainable. It’s about ensuring that individuals with disabilities can continue to age in place with the care and consistency they need. 


    The Gap We Must Bridge Together 




    State and federal funding helps us operate- but it doesn’t cover major renovations. In many cases, these homes were built or purchased decades ago, and while we’ve done our best to maintain them, rising costs and aging infrastructure now require more than patchwork solutions. 


    That’s where you come in. 


    The Impact of Your Gift on Erie Gives Day


    By contributing to this campaign, you’re not just fixing a room or widening a door- you are: 



      • preserving a sense of home for someone who has lived there for 20+ years 


      • making it safer for someone to move around with a walker or wheelchair 


      • giving peace of mind to families who know their loved ones are cared for in a secure, well-maintained space 


      • investing in permanence- a tangible legacy 

    Your gift to the $1M Strengthening Foundations campaign will enable us to complete essential renovations that directly impact health and safety:  



      • widened doorways and accessible bathrooms aren't cosmetic upgrades -they are necessities for individuals who rely on wheelchairs and mobility aids 


      • lift systems and adaptive equipment aren't conveniences - they are lifelines that prevent injury and ensure direct support professionals can provide the best support possible 


      • electrical upgrades and emergency generators are more than just infrastructure improvements - they’re essential safety nets in the event of a power outage who rely on medical equipment.  

     


    Help Us Strengthen Foundations 


    This campaign asks for your support not just because the need is real – but because the result will endure. Among the many causes you could support, few offer the lasting impact of ensuring someone’s home remains a safe and stable place to thrive. 


    Together, we can strengthen our foundations. 



Who We Are

We're committed to making dreams come true for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Since our founding in 1952 by the late Dr. Gertrude A. Barber, we have grown from a one-room classroom to a dynamic, multi-faceted facility that provides education, services and support to individuals, families and professionals.

Today, the Barber National Institute offers a complete range of services that includes early intervention for infants and toddlers, an inclusive preschool, an Autism Center of Excellence, an approved private school, job training and placement, residential options including community group homes, Lifesharing and supported living programs, in-home services, specialized therapies and behavioral therapy, a creative arts program and a retirement center.

Our organization is also recognized for innovations in program development and delivery, and provides education and training to educators and professionals around the world. The Barber National Institute main campus and administrative headquarters are located on the shores of Lake Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania. Since 1990, we have provided residential group homes and adult day services in the Philadelphia area. In 2000, we also opened residential group homes in the suburban Pittsburgh area...

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Barber National Institute

Tax id (EIN)

23-7447611

Categories

Faith

Address

100 Barber Place
Erie, PA 16507

Phone

8144537661

Website

http://www.barberinstitute.org