Last year, Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. partnered with the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation—as well as its American and international partners—to present Home is the Heart of Shared Living: An International Gathering.
The event explored shared living across multiple disciplines (and countries!). Nonotuck community member—her son receives services from us, and she’s worked with us on many projects over the years—Cheryl Ryan Chan told the story of the perseverance her family has shown in their shared living journey with their son Nicky.
My son Nicky spent 5 years in a hospital-based institution for severely behavioral children. They locked him behind a desk & put him in restraints any time he did anything they decided they didn't like. When it was time for him to transition into adult services, the agency said he was a monster who would never have any value to the world. I refused to believe them. After learning about SL - and being given a challenge by an adult agency director to have more faith in my son's potential - I embarked with that director to create a "hybrid" SL situation: SL with group home staff levels to provide what was necessary to be safe and access his community. 10 years later he & his provider Ben share a life of love, dignity & everything bachelors do that Mom doesn't need to know! Here's our story.
Learn more about the Home is the Heart of shared Living Gathering on the New York Alliance site.
Learn how Nonotuck developed a love-based ideology of care. We started our shared living program as an alternative to group homes for people with disabilities. Instead, Shared Living creates genuine life transformation for people with disabilities, as well as families and communities. The true power of caregiving is found through hospitality, authenticity, and love.
