Happy Holidays

On December 9th, we hosted our holiday party at the San Rafael Community Center, bringing together the people we support, their dedicated staff, board members, and volunteers. This festive occasion marked the first in-person holiday gathering since 2019, making it all the more special.

The event is a favorite for many, with a palpable sense of joy and excitement filling the room. One of the highlights was the unforgettable Santa rap performance, which had everyone laughing and clapping along. Guests also enjoyed a delicious meal from ‘The Pasta King,’ while the irresistible scent of freshly baked cookies and popcorn filled the air—both were loved by all in attendance!

Volunteer photographers Peter Merts and Janet Franklin captured the night’s joyful moments, while DJ Juice kept the good vibes going with great tunes, inspiring guests to hit the dance floor. Caroling led by Kate O’Connor brought a classic touch of holiday cheer.

This event was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season, and we are truly grateful for the warmth and spirit of this amazing community. Here's to many more celebrations to come!

2024 Annual Awards Banquet

Photos by Peter Merts & Janet Franklin

Intermediate Care Facilities

Ensuring a lifetime of compassionate support.

Stonehaven House

The Lifehouse Intermediate Care Facilities/ Developmentally Disabled Habilitative (ICF/ DDH) offer intensive support to individuals who may need medical, physical, or occupational therapies, ensuring that the most vulnerable people with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD) are cared for and have the opportunity for joy in their daily lives.

Supporting individuals in the ICF program is particularly complex since many of the clients are non-verbal and/or wheelchair bound. Many of the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) in our ICF program have been with Lifehouse for 10-20 years. The bond that they have with the people they support is often like that of an extended family. This helps them successfully support their client’s overall mood, well-being, and enables them to provide the very best level of care. This is often difficult to discover from someone who is non-verbal, and possibly the most challenging part of supporting people in the ICF program. Being quick on ones feet, having patience, and understanding what the individual needs can often be lifesaving for these vulnerable individuals.

Anne Aguilar, the Qualified Intellecual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) Administrator of the ICF program says, “Everyone should be treated equally and have access to what they need to lead a life with dignity and opportunity. The best way I can advocate for that is working directly with the people in our community that need our help the most. It is not always easy, but the like-minded and truly dedicated people that I work with keep that inspiration alive.” Everyone in the ICF program continuously works to maintain vibrancy and harmony in their houses. The staff and the individuals supported are learning, growing together, and play an essential role in each other’s lives.

Nova House

Thank you for your service, Eileen!

Eileen Kilgariff was introduced to Lifehouse as a guest of the Marin IJ at Great Chefs & Wineries over 21 years ago, and was struck by the Lifehouse mission and the people we support. She knew that there was something remarkable about the organization and she wanted do what she could to help lift it up.

It wasn’t long before Eileen was heading up the Steering Committee as the Chair and realized that she needed to bring in her cousin Erin Loftus-Sweetland to create an award-wining experience for this special community of people. Eileen and Erin have now been Chairing the Great Chefs & Wineries event together for six years. They have brought a powerful energy and approach to inspire the care, love and creativity needed from the committee to make the event better and better every year.

We raised over $800,000 at Great Chefs & Wineries in 2024. Our best year yet!

Thank you, Eileen!

Eileen will be hanging up her co-chair hat this year to spend more time with her growing family. Her third grandson was born this summer and she is excited to focus on being a grandmother. We will miss her leadership, but Eileen plans to continue supporting Lifehouse and the Steering Committee in her free time.

reclife

The Funding and Expansion of our Recreation Program

For 15 years, RecLife has been a recreation program for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The mission of RecLife is to promote social inclusion, independence, and overall well-being for individuals with I/DD. The program provides a supportive and inclusive environment with opportunities for participants to engage actively, integrate into their community, develop skills, and foster meaningful connections.

Prior to 2024, RecLife did not receive funding that was fully able to support the program, requiring Lifehouse to carry the additional cost year after year. We are thrilled to announce that this July, the Lindskog Foundation awarded us a $62,560 grant to help fund the RecLife program.

When the pandemic started in 2020, the program faced the challenge of having to pause in-person activities. Despite these obstacles, our Activities Coordinator, Mari Araujo, demonstrated determination and creativity by transitioning to on-line gatherings. Through a variety of activities such as karaoke, line dancing, bingo, and virtual bowling, the participants were able to connect with their friends amidst widespread isolation.

As pandemic restrictions eased, RecLife programs resumed in-person activities, including trips to the bowling alley, visits to the farmer’s market, dinner outings, excursions to Scandia Family Fun Center, and volunteering at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Seasonal activities such as attending the Marin County Fair and visiting the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch also resumed. “The bonds that are formed in these festive social gatherings are so beneficial to the people we support. It feels amazing to create access and opportunity for those young individuals to blossom”says Mari Araujo, Activities Coordinator.

The program is making it’s mark in the community. On several occasions, patrons at restaurants have offered to pay for the group’s meals, moved by the touching nature of the event and wanting to show their support for their local community members.

RecLife group at a bowling outing!

For Questions or to Apply Please Contact:

Mike Sus

Program Manager

[email protected]

Mari and a RecLife participant

Then & Now: 70 Years of Lifehouse

Celebrating the legacy of Lifehouse and the people we support.

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Danny Holderman

36 years at Lifehouse

Danny is known for his good sense of humor, passion for fitness, and the outdoors. He lives independently in a cottage in Point Reyes, where he loves to take in the coastal breeze, tend to his garden, and take care of his two hens. With the help of his direct support staff, Danny is able to manage his finances, and take weekly grocery trips. Danny is currently recovering from a successful hip surgery, and is more eager than ever to hit the trails and get back on his bike. At 64 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down!

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Greg Gazzano

48 years at Lifehouse

Greg has a charismatic smile and is very social. He and his girlfriend Cathy have lived at the Del Ganado apartments together for 36 years. Greg loves a word search and is a true sports fan. He is always listening to games on the radio and keeps up on the latest stats of his favorite Bay Area teams. Greg also enjoys participating in local sports programs through the San Rafael Lions Club and the Special Olympics. To further his independence, Greg is working on becoming more assertive, and advocating for himself with the help of his direct support staff.

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Johnny Wall

39 years at Lifehouse

Johnny is one of those people that gets recognized just about anywhere he goes. He has a great sense of humor, and is a social butterfly, making him a prominent figure in his community. He has several hobbies that include painting, swimming, yoga, and going to the movies or dinner outings with friends. Johnny is honest and outspoken, which makes him a great self-advocate. With a sharp memory and empathetic nature, he is beloved by his friends and family.

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Julie Burnett

40 years at Lifehouse

Julie is in the Lifehouse Supported Living Program and has been living at the Del Ganado apartments independently for more than two decades. She seems reserved at first, but likes to joke around, and laugh with her friends and support staff. Julie has a creative streak, and likes to spend much of her time weaving. Her handwoven placemats are available for purchase at the Artist Within Gallery in San Anselmo. With the help of her support staff, Julie set a goal to start learning how to bake this summer.

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Doreen Ramirez

36 years at Lifehouse

Doreen is very proud of her independence. She is currently focused on her fitness and is proud of the improvement she has made on her overall health. Her direct support staff help her stay on track by going on daily walks together which she always looks forward to. Doreen enjoys working on art projects and being creative. On occasion she loves to attend social engagements at her local church.

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Meredith Lloyd

46 years at Lifehouse

Meredith’s family history with Lifehouse dates back to 1978 when the Lloyd’s helped establish the ‘Little Schoolhouse’ as one of the first special education programs in Marin County. Fast-forward to 2024, Meredith has lived independently in her own apartment for three years with the help of her direct support staff. She takes great pride in having a place of her own. Her hobbies include drawing, listening to music and dancing. Meredith and her friends love celebrating life events like birthdays, and make plans to get together when they can. Meredith also loves getting out and about in her community, and regularly trying new restaurants with friends.

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prader Willi Program Launch

Diversifying our program offerings to meet the needs of the people we support.

De Lone House is the first Prader Willi Syndrome program in Marin County. This unique program offers a glowing alternative to people with this disability. Historically, individuals with Prader Willi Syndrome have had limited options for support and care, housing issues, day programs due to the need for food security, and a high level of behavioral components including anxiety and OCD. This program allows the individuals supported a true chance at independence and community integration.

Austin and Lesley de Lone of Prader Willi Homes of California (PWHC) asked Lifehouse to collaborate on developing and launching the program in Marin. The vision is for individuals with Prader Willi Syndrome to have an enriched high standard of care. The program offers less restrictions than licensed facilities, and still maintains robust precision of care. People in the program maintain a healthy, balanced life with all of the benefits of a typical supported living program.

Lifehouse worked with BJ Goff, a consulting expert, for 2 years to develop and implement the program. The key components of this new program are 1:1 support staff with extensive ongoing training, consulting behavior support, and food security led by a licensed dietitian. With an emphasis on staying active, the individuals in this program have weekly activities that enrich their lives. They go to the YMCA, train for the Special Olympics, horseback ride, visit the San Francisco Zoo, and volunteer at Guide Dogs for the Blind. The program is overseen by David Washington, Program Manager and Claudia Silva, Director of Operations.

The Prader Willi Program facilitates acceptance, nurtures independence and respect, helping individuals with disabilities find their place in the larger community.

The Lifehouse Effect

A Parent Story: Marc Elias

My son Peter was born in 1979. Although small, he seemed fine until he turned one and had his first asthma attack. Over the next 3 years he was hospitalized with asthma or pneumonia a dozen times. At the age of 4, the asthma stopped and my wife Ann and I were hopeful that he would have a healthy future ahead.

Everything changed when Peter was 5 ½ and started having headaches. He had a CT Scan that revealed a massive brain tumor in his right frontal lobe, so we prepared ourselves for Peter to go into surgery. Half of the tumor was deemed inoperable and the doctor said Peter likely had 5 years to live, with a 2 –10 year window.

We were shattered. Our world changed. It was difficult to simply take one step in front of the other. I felt helpless and felt that if we lost Peter, I would go too.

Every year since then seemed like a milestone, and it was immensely challenging. Five years turned into 10 years, and although developmentally delayed, Peter was a happy boy. It was clear though that he could not take care of himself as an adult.

As a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, finding a place like Lifehouse has been a true blessing. Under the compassionate guidance of Mike Sus and his dedicated staff, Peter has thrived in an environment that fosters independence, growth, and dignity. With the support of Lifehouse, he is active in his community and has a life of his own. This year Peter turned 45 and is thriving. Peter loves his family so much, especially his 2 sisters, his niece, and nephew.

The programs and housing that Lifehouse offers have helped Peter and so many others in our community. I am continually amazed by the unwavering commitment and passion that Nancy Dow Moody, my wife Ann Elias, and the entire Lifehouse team demonstrate in their work. Their dedication to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is truly commendable and has made a significant difference in our family’s lives. The hard work, compassion, and dedication does not go unnoticed, and I am immensely grateful for everything that the organization does for my son and the community as a whole.