Home Life
Home Life is a private, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, nonprofit organization providing safe, integrated, community living services that enhance the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities. Home Life clients learn and practice living skills that encourage happy, productive and independent lives.
Community inclusion, diversity, and a highly supportive neighborhood is what the Home Life CoHo house is all about. The Corvallis Coho project is the first community housing development in the nation to include people with developmental disabilities in every aspect of the community.
Home Life purchased a four-bedroom condominium within the 34 units that make up the Coho community. We provide long-term support to three people who were on the Benton County wait list who needed comprehensive services. These people are adults who are were living with their aging parents and needed an opportunity to live on their own with support from Home Life staff and their community.
Home Life has a proven commitment to being a sustainable program in our community. Home Life currently serves 44 clients in 5 programs, and owns 6 properties. In addition, Home Life has a 33-year track record of providing high quality housing and care to adults with developmental disabilities.
Home Life does more than just service state contracts with clients. Home Life is a dedicated long time member of the community involving hundreds of volunteers per year, recruiting volunteers from the National AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps*OSSC programs, writing and receiving local, city, state, and national grants, and working tirelessly to acquire resources and opportunities for clients. In terms of sustainability, Home Life has proven itself.
Please visit the Home Life web site for more information.
Lea
My name is Lea. I am 26 years old. I live in Corvallis with my brother, Quinn and our housemates, Wren, Katie and Collin. I went to Crescent Valley High School and I graduated in 2000. I like to get to visit my mom and dad and other siblings in Washington when I can.
I work at Packaging Plus (a division of Cornerstone Associates), there I help shred paper and put color wheels together. I also work at the Home Life office shredding paper. I do lots of volunteer work too. On Thursdays I help my friend, Judy, at the South Corvallis Food Bank sorting cans of food. On Wednesdays I volunteer at the library where I help clean carts of books and videos before they get re-shelved.
I like to do a lot of different things. I am a big Disney fan! I love Mickey Mouse and all of the characters, especially the Princesses. I like to watch Disney movies and read Disney books. My favorite movie is the Lion King and I like to sing along with the music. Some of my other favorite music artists are the Back Street Boys. I also like to read and listen to books on tape, some of my favorite books are the Magic Tree House series. I enjoy choosing a variety of books from the library as well as outings to Borders and other local bookstores. Playing games on my computer in my free time is also something I enjoy. I really like swimming and go to the aquatic center several times a week. I was on the Special Olympics swim team last fall and won several medals. In the summer time I like to ride my bike with my friend. And I really like going out to eat, especially for Chinese food.
I go to Art Focus and Art Careers with the ARC where I do painting and beading. My art work is on display at the ARC of Benton County Gallery. I also participate in many other activities the ARC provides and especially enjoy the Coffee, Tea, You & Me social on Mondays and the dances.
I am really excited to live in Cohousing!
