A visit to the newest Group Home

We take a short visit to our agency's 4th group home to speak with Anna Coleman who is the residential manager.

It is a bright and crisp January morning when I drive Route 29 south towards Rustburg. It has now been almost a year since the first client moved into DePaul Family Services latest group home. It is located just seven miles from the Lynchburg Regional Airport in a country setting.

Residential Manager Anna Coleman greets me at the door. This home was originally the home of a family before DePaul purchased it and decided to make it into a group home for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Prior to opening, the house underwent a major renovation to make it wheelchair accessible. New floors, new paint and a new bathroom were just a few of the additions that were made to give the home a warm feeling. Features of the home include a living room which has a beautiful stone fire place and a spacious and bright sun room.

Anna shows me around the home as she explains that this house is currently home to three women. As of today there are no male residents; however, the home is designed to be co-ed. Anna and her staff also provide respite for individuals who live in a residential care provider home or with their biological family in the community. One individual who uses these services is a man who stays a while as his care provider travels out of town. The home is licensed to house eight residents and Anna hopes to find three more individuals who are interested in living in the home full-time. She is also planning to keep two beds open for respite services.

As we visit all the rooms, I notice how each of the women who live in the home has made her room "her own." One room features posters of horses and another has photos of close friends on the bedside table.

During my visit only one of the residents was home. Her health prevents her from participating in many activities. Anna tells me how a staff member sometimes accompanies her to one of the day-support centers in Lynchburg so she can see some of her friends. The other two residents are busy during the day with studies or day-support. activities. During weekends, holidays and evenings, the staff accompanies the residents to activities such as going to church, shopping, visiting the library and Lynchburg city parks and even dancing at Cattle Annie's.

It is obvious that Anna and her staff have been providing excellent care to these women. It is not only a place to live, but a home that can meet each person's individual needs and interests. It is a very nice place to call home.

For more information or to make a referral, please call 434.525.9060

Jonas Vesterlund, Lynchburg