From the beginningJohn "Jack" Roche partnered with Norwood Housing Authority in 2010 to open a home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The "Yellow House," as it was affectionately named by its residents, used a Collaborative Living Supports program model. In this collaborative, the owner, provider and families are all keys to the success of our residents.
Our residents enjoyed the freedom of living on their own while having the support of staff to assist with Activities of Daily Living. They bonded with their housemates as well as with neighbors in the community. The "Yellow House" became a successful housing model for independent living throughout Massachusetts and beyond. |
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Testimonials
Quotes from family members on what our homes have meant to them...
"The [Walpole group home] represented a big step toward independence for my son who was 22 when he moved to the house in August 2014. The design of the house allows for great personal space as well as common areas. For [my son] it was like he was moving to college. The residents are a community. The house is a place to learn social skills such as cooperation, tolerance and sharing. Learning to live with other people who are peers and not family members is valuable to help with navigating outside of the house at a job and in the community."
"At home [my son] used to suffer from loneliness and had difficulty communicating with others his own age. With the group home, he has learned many skills and responsibilities toward self independence and prefers to live in this group setting. As a parent I feel good and appreciative that [my son] feels good about himself and is more confident as a result of group living."
"Very simply put, while at [Norwood group home] my son was transformed from a very needy autism spectrum young adult with few life skills, to someone who can shop for himself, get out in the world and volunteer his time in a hospital setting, make decisions about how he spends his time, and form lasting friendships. This level of independence would not be possible without the excellent living conditions provided by Jack Roche."
"Living in this program has given [my daughter] a sense of a 'normal adult' life, which is the most important aspect for an individual with a disability. As a parent of a child with a disability, there is nothing more important than seeing her happy, healthy, and living in a dignified setting. The moment we entered [Norwood group home], we felt like we were walking into a real home with warmth, coziness and the companionship of other girls. This is the best independent living setting that we have ever come across."
"I searched for many months-unsuccessfully I may add-for a satisfactory residential situation for our son. I was then fortunate enough to learn about these residential houses. We have been so grateful ever since, as the house our son resides in is far more than satisfactory-it has been enormously significant in helping our son-and others, I assume-blossom into more thoughtful, independent young adults."
"[My son] loves living in his house and wants to live there for the rest of his life. He has a full life living at [Norwood group home]. The other houses have also given him a community and a place he feels he belongs. They visit each other and are friends with the residents from the other houses. The Town of Norwood has accepted them, I see this when we go to the post office, the grocery store and the bank. I don't think I could find another place like this for him to live. He is truly living the American dream."
OUR HOUSES BECOME HOMES. |