Families dream of 'A Home to Share'

A group of Sisters families with children with disabilities is launching a program to coordinate care for their children in the community as they become adults.

"A Home To Share was born two years ago by five families, who all have children with developmental disabilities. Some of our children are now adults," said Marcia Reitmann. "Our earliest meetings were spent expressing our fears and concerns for the time when we, as parents, would no longer be here to coordinate the care of our children. Some of the parents had also had experience with institutional-type group homes that was not always positive.

"We began to dream of a home where our kids could live in a nurturing environment as a family, with community support and residential care providers who are skilled, competent, kind and loving; it would be a home with diversity and sustainability; located in a safe community with access to productive work, recreation, companionship; with values that include maintaining independence, freedom of choice and accountability to one another."

The families believe that Sisters is that ideal community, and they want to share the dream with the community at an Open House on May 1 at The Belfry, 5 to 8 p.m. The event will have a May Day theme; appetizers will be served and a no-host wine and beer bar will be available.

Featured topics covered at the event will include: "How can I help?" (volunteerism); what the homes will look like; a typical day in the life of a resident; how the residents are integrated into the community; and how it all gets financed. Attendees will also have an opportunity to make a beautiful May Day flower with some of the folks who may be living in our homes.

For more information, contact Marcia Rietmann at [email protected] or 541-548-2136, visit www.AHomeToShare.com, or find them on Facebook, by searching "A Home To Share."