Client Success Stories

Hi, I’m Eric, and I’m 33 years old! I’ve been living at Homes for Independent Living (HIL) since July 2019. Before that, I lived in an Adult Foster Home from 2012 to 2019 but had to leave due to some behaviors that became difficult to manage. I lived with my dad for a month before moving to HIL in Plymouth, WI. In 2023, I relocated to HIL-Vista in Sheboygan, where I've now settled.

When I first arrived at HIL, I stayed home all day and didn’t attend a day program. I faced many challenges and struggled with constant anxiety, especially when my routine was disrupted. I even wandered at night, taking and eating food—sometimes uncooked. Over time, though, I’ve made great progress and have improved in managing these challenges.

I’m fortunate to have supportive staff and family, who mean a lot to me. I like to help out around the house by doing chores such as laundry, sweeping, taking out the garbage, and vacuuming. People describe me as a pleasant and caring guy! The staff—Ray, Lisa, Skye, Amber, Michelle, JJ, Ty, and Krystal—have all played a big part in helping me become more independent by involving me in all aspects of daily living. I really enjoy spending time with my family, decorating for the holidays, and doing art projects, or anything that lets me show my creative side.

My daily routine usually starts with a shower, breakfast, and making my bed before heading to Paragon, where I attend the Day Program five days a week. At Paragon, I love singing, shopping, and hanging out with my friends. My favorite things about living at HIL are the food (of course!), relaxing in the hammock, spending time in my bedroom, the staff, and singing karaoke.

I’m really thankful for the staff who have supported me, my new home, and being able to sleep in on weekends! Right now, I’m looking forward to upcoming holiday activities! My hope for the future is to continue thriving in my current setting!

Mandy has lived with HIL on two separate occasions. In 2018, she moved into Newport in Manitowoc, an 8-bed home specializing in mental health care. In 2020, she transitioned to a smaller HIL setting in Appleton, where she lived with just one roommate. After that program closed in 2021, Mandy briefly moved to another provider but returned to HIL in February 2023 to live in her own apartment at Leo in Green Bay. This unique program offers clients staff support while utilizing Dynamic Supports technology, which enhances Mandy's independence. Her apartment is equipped with sensors and call buttons that allow her to maintain safety and easily connect with staff when needed.

Mandy has faced behavioral challenges related to her intellectual disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and traumatic past, but she has received consistent support from her staff and the Behavioral Services Department. During her time at HIL, she has developed coping mechanisms to help her manage when she becomes dysregulated. Some of her strategies include listening to music, wearing her weighted vest, participating in Bible study, and requesting a PRN when needed.

Since moving into her own apartment at Leo, Mandy has maintained employment at a local restaurant, where she cleans before it opens, and she also volunteers at her church. Recently, Mandy has been working with DVR and secured a job at a local supermarket as a cleaner. She is excellent at cleaning and finds great satisfaction in it.

In addition to her work, Mandy enjoys going for walks with staff, doing crafts, sitting outside, playing games, and going out into the community to shop. She also maintains close relationships with her family and friends. Mandy speaks with her parents and siblings on the phone several times a week and enjoys outings with her church friends. These relationships are vital to Mandy and help her manage her anxiety.

When asked what she enjoys most about living at Leo, Mandy shared that she loves being able to live independently in her apartment with the support of Dynamic Supports and staff. She also appreciates the freedom to cook her own meals and handle tasks on her own. Mandy is especially grateful for the Service Coordinator and Direct Support Supervisor at Leo, mentioning that they help her calm down when she's upset. She also enjoys playfully "driving them crazy" by chatting with them frequently.

Mandy and her team are hopeful that she will continue to maintain her employment and achieve all the goals she has set for herself while living at Leo. We are thrilled to see how well Mandy is doing and how much progress she has made over the years. Mandy is smart, funny, witty, and has a generous heart, and we are honored to be part of her journey.