Living Life to The Fullest in Community Living
After over 20 years of living in Community Living, unexpected changes almost made Danny leave his home, but his sister and KenCrest found a way around it.
By Sydney Kerelo
In 2023, one of KenCrest’s Adult Community Living homes experienced a significant change—two individuals living at the Sweetbriar Adult Community Living home moved out. One individual moved back home with his family, while another sought out other living arrangements, leaving Danny as the sole resident.
KenCrest’s Adult Community Living homes accommodate up to four people at a time and are located in safe, accessible, centrally located, inclusive neighborhoods. Without at least three residents, the house can’t continue to operate.
After more than twenty years, Danny faced the possibility of moving out of his home, the place he loved. “The original idea was to move Danny out of Sweetbriar and into another home,” says Jenn Kresge, the Director of Community Options for Region 2, Philadelphia and Bucks Counties. “But Danny had just lost his mother; he had lived in Sweetbriar for more than 20 years, he lost all of his roommates, and his life was changing so quickly.”
Kresge and Danny’s sister Aliza were determined to find the best solution for Danny. They knew moving him to another house would not suit him, so they fought hard to keep him where he was. They found two other individuals living in a home with stairs who were tired of walking up and down them daily. They wanted to move, and the best place for them was Sweetbriar.
It was a fortunate coincidence that Danny already knew one of the individuals from working together, so it was a win-win for both parties. Last fall, Raphael and Bill officially moved in, bringing a new energy and companionship into Danny's life.
Now, Danny is truly living for himself. He has learned that he can overcome any challenge and is now a symbol of strength and independence. He now gets to live his life the way he wants to. He works five days a week at the work center, takes music classes, and bowls each Saturday. He even took a trip with his roommates to Atlantic City this summer. He has even started dieting and is learning to be physically healthy.
“KenCrest has really gone above and beyond for my brother,” says Aliza Byrne, Danny’s sister. “There’s always someone I can reach out to; Jenn always answers my phone calls and ensures that if I have an issue, they’re handling it right away. They’re amazing!”
When they moved in together, Danny, Raphael, and Bill were even matched with a new Direct Support Professional, Marlo Maxwell, who dotes on them as if they were her own family. Marlo is a dedicated and compassionate professional who encourages the residents to reach for their dreams. “I believe that it is our duty to encourage them to live their lives to the fullest,” says Maxwell. “Even though they may drive us crazy, they’re like family and should be treated that way.” Marlo's commitment to her role and her genuine care for the residents in Community living has made a significant difference in their lives.