Community Living Ontario

Family-supported, independent living at Casa De Angelae
Wednesday July 20, 2011 -- Kristian Partington

For more than 10 years now, the vision of a “House of Angels” has consumed the thoughts of four Peterborough ladies who have an intellectual disability and their families. Little more than two weeks ago, that vision was realized when the four women moved into their new home, Casa De Angelae.

The home is a place where the four friends can be a family, says resident Amy Nolan; where they each contribute to the running of the household with the ongoing support of their families and a live-in mentor.

“I like being a family with my friends,” Nolan says. “We have a lot of fun together.”

For the families, the home also represents a place where their daughters can grow within their community, be more independent and if all goes as planned, remain that way well into the future.

“The families are key to it,” says board member Peter Roach. “They have to be able to support it. They have supported it significantly financially, and of course they support the young ladies.”

“It’s been a very difficult road but now we think we see some light at the end of the tunnel and we know we’re going to go ahead very well and be successful.”

Brenda Dowey is a one of the mothers and says after all of the hard work and preparation, it’s a little overwhelming to know that the plan is fully in place.

“We’re just so happy and proud of the girls,” she says. “We’ve worked hard but so have these girls in making the transition.”

To other families who share a similar dream, Dowey says, “Just go for it, because the government isn’t able to take care of them — the money’s just not there — and agencies like Community Living are doing the best they can with what they get from the ministry, but we have to take it into our own hands.”

She points out that without the help of the board of directors, which was incorporated in early 2008, they might not have been successful in attaining their goal. The ongoing partnership with Community Living Peterborough is also a critical component of the success.

If you have a story to share related to independent living, please contact 800-294-0051, ext. 24, or e-mail kristian(at)axiomnews.ca.