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!