Every morning between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m., a staff member arrives to open the south gate to Perry Wellness Center. Noah Cochran, who usually performs this duty, says he enjoys the mornings and the quiet time for completing his daily documentation. He finds his morning task a welcome one.

“I really can’t believe that I enjoy this early morning task,” Noah says with a smile, “But I do! We all have routine daily jobs, and opening the south gate is a way to enter early and prepare for my day of activity. I have fun welcoming peers who are there to do routine chores in the classroom or in the kitchen for breakfast preparation.”

The eastern gate of the campus is opened at a later time, when a market associate is in place. Both gates are locked once again each day after a full schedule of activities on campus. While the center likes to maintain an “open door” policy, security concerns are an unfortunate reality. In addition to extensive fencing and locked gates, CEO Stuart Perry relies upon the use of security cameras. They allow him to be in constant contact as the camera videos beam directly into his home.

“With the growing number of peers and the overall potential for criminal activity, we must monitor and tape activity both during our hours of operation and after we close,” Stuart explains.

As East Furlow Street activity increases with spring and summer shopping at Rudy’s Happy Patch Market, every possible provision is made to ensure customer safety. Market manager Phyllis Smith personally selects each peer who provides assistance in the market. Such screening not only ensures a more secure market area, but the best possible customer service.

In the above photo, Noah Cochran greets the early morning sun as he opens the south gate to Perry Wellness Center.