ADRIAN — A former church on the east side of Adrian will soon become the new Align Center for Workforce Development. 

The former Restore World Church — which before that was St. John’s Lutheran School — was purchased in 2024 and is being renovated to serve as the Align Center’s physical hub.

The Align Center is inviting members of the public to schedule tours if they are interested in learning more about the project.

Most recently, representatives from the Boys & Girls Club, ProMedica’s Ebeid Neighborhood Promise, and Legacy Barber College toured both levels of the facility. 

Randy Yagiela, director of development for Lenawee Now, was the tour guide that morning. He told the group that the design of the building reflects the center’s mission to create a welcoming, accessible environment for all residents. The renovation includes training rooms, event spaces, offices for partner organizations, and a daycare facility to support adult students attending classes.

A key feature of the building, he added, is the “friendly front porch,” designed to make the center feel approachable and inviting. The Align Center seeks to create a creative and positive atmosphere, one that encourages residents to seek help and engage with the services offered. 

The Align Center is on track to open its doors in May. In the meantime, the Align project team is working closely with community stakeholders, including business owners, church leaders, and volunteers from organizations such as Hispanics for Lenawee Alliance (HOLA). These stakeholders are actively involved in the planning process.

The general contractor is Krieghoff Lenawee. 

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact the Align Center’s interim director, H. Ron Griffith, at 517-270-4580.