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They'll have more to talk about with their daughter when a charity's residence for adults with special needs starts taking shape at a former Hamilton church.
But Debbie and Donato Nucciarone said they've already spoken to Marisa, 35, about a new chapter with Luso Canadian Charitable Society's project in the works.
"We've been getting her ready to live on her own for a while," said Donato before a groundbreaking event attended by Premier Doug Ford got underway Wednesday at the Main Street East construction site.
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That's important as they get older, said the Stoney Creek couple, who are in their 60s. "Any parents with a disabled child, they worry about their future and how they're going to end up," Debbie said.
Luso aims to ease that anxiety through the transformation of Trinity Baptist Church into an affordable, supportive residence for 45 people.
Earlier this year, the provincial budget earmarked $16 million toward the charity's project and added to $2.7 million in federal support and $475,000 in waived municipal development charges.
Addressing a crowd gathered for the event, Ford praised Luso for pursuing the project. When governments "put these crazy political stripes aside, which drive me nuts," he said, "we all work together, this is what happens.
"This is a community that 45 people, you're going to change their lives," said the premier, who wasn't made available for media questions.
The plan is to refurbish the church, which dates back to 1924, and construct a six-storey residence on its parking lot. The blueprint calls for space on the ground floor for a day program with apartments on the upper levels.
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Luso, which has helped people with physical and developmental disabilities for more than 20 years, operates a centre on Barton Street East in Hamilton and has locations in Toronto and Peel. The charity provides life-skills training, respite care, literacy support and community outings.
The project will bring the long-vacant church "back to life with a new purpose," said Jack Prazeres, president of Luso Charities.
Parents of adult children with special needs face decade-long waits for supportive housing, he said. "We know some parents of a certain age are full of anxiety."
The lack of suitable spaces means adults with disabilities can wind up in long-term-care homes, Mayor Andrea Horwath said.
"This project right here changes that. It gives folks living with disabilities a safe, dignified and supportive home, where they can thrive and remain connected to their community."
Horwath responded to ribbing by provincial officials about a delayed building permit and said she'd "figure out what the holdup is." She added, it's "not appropriate" to set back "this fantastic project."
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But construction is now "imminent," Luso CEO Heather Grand told The Spectator and noted the residence is expected to open in 2027.
"The families are constantly saying, 'How much longer? I can't wait. I'm getting older every day.' I can understand that."
For Renata and Joe Sciarra, seeing the project move forward provides "a sense of hope." Giancarlo, their 22-year-old son, attends Luso's day program on Barton Street East four times a week.
"It's somewhere we feel like he belongs," Renata said.
With the project expected to cost more than $25 million, Luso aims to raise $7 million through a capital campaign.
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