Residential Support

"It is an inherent longing in all people that their lives be rich and full. The potential of any human being is ultimately unknowable and we would be very remiss to simply see people as they may appear to us today. Life has many elements that are necessarily hidden from our view and we all are, in our often solitary way, searchers for what is right and true for our lives." - Michael Kendrick

At Onondaga Community Living we start with you. We have no home or vacancy for you to consider. We, instead, work with you and your loved ones to ensure that the right home and living arrangement is set up for you! Our residential support services are based on personalized attention and one to one staff support. Each home and living arrangement is set up differently based upon the wishes and desires of the person who comes to us.

Most people we support choose not to live with other people with disabilities, and we respect that. But if you have a friend that you choose to live with, we will respect that also. People who typically have come to us are not interested in the traditional group living arrangement or in structured apartment services where you have no choice on location. People have also come to us who have had complex needs that require 24-hour supervision but have not succeeded in traditional programs.

Our goal is to fit our support services around your needs, not fit you in to a support system that is already developed. This may sound simple but there will be much for us to talk about as we get to know each other. Once a determination is made to pursue this agency for residential support, we will spend a great deal of time talking with you and your loved ones. We will explore:

• What your interests are.
• What personal connections you have that you would like to maintain.
• What brings out the best in you, what we need to avoid that does not work for you.
• Where your vulnerabilities lie.
• What safeguards need to be put in place.
• What community you would like to live in.
• What kind of home would you feel most comfortable in .
• The people or type of person you would like to live with.

Everyone's answers to the above questions are different. Some people end up renting an apartment, some live in the country, some live in the neighborhood that they grew up in, some live in a home that the family purchased, some live in a home that they themselves own. Some know of a person that they want to live with, others know the type of person but look to us for help. Once we have better understood your needs, we will then work with you to design a comprehensive package that will meet your needs whether you need us a few days a week or 24 hours a day. Our story below shows how a service for one gentleman has developed and what it has meant for him.

David (real story - pseudo name)

We met David when he was heavily drugged, often restrained and living in a group arrangement that he often had difficulty in. David was interested in moving out of this arrangement. We met with him and his staff to try and get to know him better and learn from them what worked or had not worked in his life. After careful planning it was determined that David would live without others with disabilities and live with non disabled housemates. We would combine the housemate support with regular daily residential staff support, personal care support each morning and vocational support Monday through Friday. This combination of services and housemate support equaled the 24 hour support that David needed.

David lives in a home that he and his housemate chose. He lives there with two non disabled housemates that he respects and loves. The three of them share a home together. A Personal Care Attendant that has been chosen by David comes in each morning and helps him with his morning routine and ensures that he is ready for his day. He then either volunteers (where he works with horses) or goes to a paid job (where he either works with cars or delivers papers) Monday through Friday. David likes to keep busy and productive, and cars, people and horses are key interests for him. He very much enjoys his volunteer and paid positions. When he gets home from work a residential staff member is there to assist him with his share of household duties, help him with any appointments or to support him in a social life that is separate from his home. Each evening he hangs out with his two housemates, and does things with them both at home and socially that they each enjoy.

The key things for David are that his life is much more content. His behavioral problems are pretty much nonexistent. He is no longer restrained or on unnecessary medications. He now lives with people who he values. He works at positions that he loves. He is truly a much happier man than he has ever been in his life.

So taking time to get to know you is what we feel is important. How different David's life would be if we had not listened to him and thought to try it another way. One person at a time is our approach to residential services.

Philip (real story - pseudo name)

When it was determined that Philip (pseudo name) would live in a home with a non disabled housemate, we first looked to see if there was someone who knew him or if he knew of someone. When this did not bring anyone forward, we looked at associations and groups that matched his liking. When this also did not identify someone, we moved to advertising. Advertising brought forth several individuals that the staff worked to screen not only for their interest in a life-sharing role but also for their background, personality styles, hobbies and interests that would blend well with Philip's. John was narrowed down and then began to get to know Philip. As the meetings and visits together went on, each man began to get to know the other better and made the decision to move in together.

John and Philip now share a home in a town that meets both of their needs. Philip has staff who come into the home when John is still at work (he is a local contractor) or to assist Philip with his own personal routines and appointments. Philip, John, the staff and Philip's family have all developed a nice circle of support that backs up one another as needed. Philip's life has changed considerably due to his friendship with John. He is much more at peace. John also admits to his life changing because of his commitment to Philip. Originally we asked John to make a one year commitment. That was ten years ago. The two men continue to live together in the same house that they moved into ten years back. They have truly developed a wonderful relationship.

Not all stories are ten years long, but we have several approaching this. We also have other good people who have stayed a couple of years and then had to move on with their own life. Life changes, and we expect that. As some housemates have moved on we have seen new relationships come to the forefront. So think about it, this is a unique opportunity for the right person or couple. Call or email us if you are interested. We would love to talk with you more about it.