A Full Life: Dana & Cindy

“A Full Life” series is an on-going narrative throughout Lifehouse. The goal is to help the community discover the creativity, expression and confidence within each individual that Lifehouse supports.

Cindy and Dana have both been supported by Lifehouse for over 20 years. Fifteen years ago, their love story began in the hallways of a San Anselmo apartment complex that exclusively provides housing for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Since then one of their greatest bonds has been over their mutual love of art. The walls of Dana’s apartment are an ode to both of their artwork, family, friends and their life together. Many of their photos together include the early days of attending the Lifehouse Annual Awards Banquets, trips and cruises, or their time as dancers for the yearly Great Chefs and Wineries performance. The apartment feels warm, inviting, and full of joy.

Cindy and Dana are like many couples, they enjoy weekly date nights and spend holidays together. Cindy even cooks Thanksgiving dinner every year for them. Date nights are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and since Cindy lives in anapartment just the floor below its easy for them to rendevouz. They enjoy playing cards, working on the latest art project set up by their DSP Melissa, or walks around the neighborhood. While Dana is walking a little slower these days, they look for dandelions along the way or count dogs passing by when they take breaks on benches.

Cindy is known for keeping Dana positive. They are playful and tender with one another. Finding true companionship with each other has lead Cindy and Dana to create a quiet but full life together.

A Full Life: Stephanie

“A Full Life” series is an on-going narrative throughout Lifehouse. The goal is to help the community discover the creativity, expression and confidence within each individual that Lifehouse supports.

Stephanie Caires has been supported by Lifehouse for 13 years. Getting her drivers license meant freedom, independence, and feeling like an adult. This mini documentary is filmed and produced by Humans Being Media, following Stephanie as she shares her story of how she has achieved a major life goal and hopes to continue to grow with a little help from Lifehouse.

Legilative Breakfast

Advocating for the vitality of the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the people who support them.

The Legislative Breakfast was held on April 19th in collaboration with the Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC), the Service Provider Advisory Committee (SPAC), and the AdvoCats. Over 100 people attended and notable figures included, Assemblyman Damon Connolly, Board Supervisor Katie Rice, Aide Zach Koblick de Leon, and San Rafael Council Member, Rachel Kertz. Lifehouse’s very own Director of Operations, Kate O’Connor headed up the coordination of the event, is the Facilitator to SPAC and a member of the GGRC Board-Liaison for SPAC.

The purpose of the Legislative Breakfast was to educate legislators and local officials about the Governor’s budget proposal to delay the much-needed rate increase by a year for intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) providers. The morning was full of inspired speeches from people receiving support services, direct support professionals (DSP), service providers and family members. Each one calling out the glaring disparity between the wage DSPs receive, and the complex work that they do.

Jessica Perez, a Lifehouse DSP gave a stand-out speech touching on the myriad of ways that she supports the people that she works with, the importance of supporting people with I/DD, and the stress and hard work that all too often interferes with continued employment for most DSPs. Despite all of this she shared, “I love my job! How many of us can say that? I say it again, I LOVE MY JOB! I find purpose in the work I do; this work challenges me and allows me to learn something new every day. I know my work is important and that it helps the lives of the most vulnerable in our community.”

In the State of California, the turnover rate for DSPs is around 50% with some agencies having as many as 1 in 8 DSP roles consistently vacant. Current wages do not keep up with the rising cost of living. If the State of California continues to delay the new rate model implementation will hurt not only to people with I/DD but the people who support them.

Human Race

Supporting our North Bay Programs

On Saturday May 4th, Team Lifehouse braved the rain for the Human Race in Santa Rosa to raise funds to support our Sonoma County support services. The team was a combination of Lifehouse leaders, management staff, direct support professionals, and a few people we support. Thank you Lisa, Alisha, Claudia, Euna, John, Leanne, Linda, Matthew, Nick, Peter, Sethi, Tim, and William for showing great spirt and commitment to Lifehouse!

Lifehouse in Action

Christine Leider is the Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) / Associate Director of the three Lifehouse Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) homes. These ICF homes are staffed to provide intensive personal care and medical support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

On May 6, 2021, Christine received a phone call from John Kalb, a Lifehouse parent whose son, Jaryd lives in the Nova House ICF in Terra Linda. He shared that after an apartment building fire, one of his son’s friends named Carlos had to find a place to live by May 12 or was at risk of being homeless.

Carlos came to Nova House on Tuesday, May 11 for an in-person visit and to complete the required intake assessment. Carlos saw his new bedroom, his friend Jaryd, met the other residents and a few staff and was thrilled at the prospect of a new home. The next day, Wednesday, May 12, Carlos officially moved into Nova House.

Recently, Christine asked Carlos what his favorite part about living at Nova House was. He responded, “My friends.” Carlos is a wonderful young man and has been an amazing addition to Nova House and the Lifehouse family!

Many thanks to Christine Leider, her staff, and the rest of the Lifehouse Team for this undertaking performed with great intention, kindness and love.

It was at this point that the Lifehouse team stepped into action. Christine worked with Carlos‘ family, their family friend Betty, the Marin Community Clinic, Golden Gate Regional Center and Housing Urban Development (HUD). Miracles happened and in less than a week, Carlos had a home.

Prior to moving into a licensed group home, there are many requirements that must be met, for example: a pre-physical exam, lab work, TB tests, lease agreements, consents, intake assessments, etc. We used all of our connections to get Carlos an appointment with his primary care doctor at Marin Community Clinic and to get the required medical records.

Find this story, community updates, and more information about Lifehouse in our Annual Report. You can sign up to receive our mailings by emailing our Office Manager Erin Loftus, mail@lifehouseagency.org.