Charity Connecticut People

KBE Provides New NICU Library at no Cost to CCMC

Mike Kolakowski, President and CEO of KBE Building Corp., and Michael Kolakowski, Jr., Project Manager, requesting Alex’s autograph © KBE Building Corp.

Mike Kolakowski, president and CEO of KBE, and Michael Kolakowski Jr., project manager, requesting Alex’s autograph / © KBE Building Corp.

Hartford, CT – KBE Building Corp. recently completed construction of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Library for parents. Thanks to donations of time and services from KBE, its subcontractors, and Tecton Architects, the project was completed at no cost to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Interior Building Contractors, DLZ Architectural Millwork, M Brett Painting Company, North Haven Ceramic Tile & Floor Coverings, Builders Hardware, and Sarracco Mechanical Services also donated time and materials to the project.

The idea to turn a storage room into a peaceful library and retreat was conceived by The Baby Alex Foundation, an organization focused on pediatric brain surgery research, and its Alex’s Library initiative. The initiative’s mission is to provide books and other informational materials to families of NICU patients striving to find solace during difficult times. The organization was started by parents Nicole Schmidt and Erik Skulte after the premature birth of their son, Alex. Alex, now 8, his parents, and his sister Isabelle were on hand to cut the ribbon for the library opening.

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Members of the KBE team gathered to celebrate the new NICU library at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. (l-r) Allan Kleban, KBE; Isabelle Skulte; Alex Skulte; Barrie Deschaine, KBE; Mike Kolakowski, KBE; Michael Kolakowski, Jr., KBE; Jonelle Lawhorn, KBE; Sierra Fournier, KBE)© KBE Building Corp.

Members of the KBE team gathered to celebrate the new NICU library at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. (l-r) Allan Kleban, KBE; Isabelle Skulte; Alex Skulte; Barrie Deschaine, KBE; Mike Kolakowski, KBE; Michael Kolakowski, Jr., KBE; Jonelle Lawhorn, KBE; Sierra Fournier, KBE)© KBE Building Corp.

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center NICU Library | Project Highlights

  • $0 total cost to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
  • storage area converted to library
  • complete demolition of the existing cabinets, ceiling, and floor; full restoration and a custom bookshelf
  • strict Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) protocol followed to accommodate close proximity to the NICU
  • completed on October 26, 2015

“It has been our pleasure to provide this space to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center,” said Allan Kleban, KBE’s Vice President of Business Development. “Everyone at KBE hopes that it provides many years of comfort to the parents and family members of your tiniest of patients.”