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.

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.

Strengthening Our Executive Team

Please welcome our new Chief Financial Officer, Brian Morrow!

Brian joined the Lifehouse leadership team earlier this month as the new CFO. He is a licensed CPA in the state of California and brings 10 years of experience in public accounting as an auditor specializing in the governmental and not-for-profit sector with expertise in servicing a wide range of clients from small rural federally qualified health clinics to large state level entities.

After gaining a breadth of knowledge for understanding control structures during his time in public accounting, he moved into the private industry starting out as the CFO & Treasurer at The Reutlinger Community, a Bay Area eldercare facility. In this role Brian worked to bring the accounting and finance process in house and helped to build control structures. After the Reutlinger, Brian found a new challenge in joining the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano as their VP of Finance. In this role he worked to enhance their internal reporting model across departments company wide.

Brian holds both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Masters of Accounting from the University of Arizona. He also sits on the board of directors of Kokoro Assisted Living, a San Francisco elder care facility, and chairs the finance committee.

Brian lives in Castro Valley with his multi-generational family which includes his wife, two young boys and mother-in-law. Brian’s interests include writing, woodworking, and riding his motorcycle.

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!

A Gift From You Will Make a Difference

Hello Friends of Lifehouse,

As 2023 comes to an end, I reflect on how grateful we are for this beautiful community. The challenges of stabilizing our organization to ensure an unambiguous future for Lifehouse and the people we support has not been easy. The continuous shift in the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and the increased necessity for our services is demanding, but we are committed to making certain that the people we support can always count on us.

The core mission of Lifehouse consists of providing quality support services to people with I/DD in our community and doing so with great integrity. This is why Lifehouse is the #1 Bay Area Service Provider where $0.90 of every dollar raised goes directly to support programs.

A gift from you will allow people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to advance their independence, productivity, and inclusion in every aspect of society. You may not realize how much it means to Lifehouse and the individuals we serve to have your support.

No gift is too big or too small and every dollar is needed. Thank you in advance for your contribution.

I wish you all a joyous and healthy holiday season from all of us at Lifehouse.

Much love to you and yours,

Nancy Dow Moody

President & CEO