Client Success Stories

Jesse is a 55-year-old gentleman who resides at Homes for Independent Living’s Sullivan program. He has faced mental health challenges throughout his adult life, often finding community placements overwhelming and spending significant time in various treatment centers.

Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jesse is a proud lifelong Packers fan. He is the eldest of two children and graduated from Green Bay Southwest High School in 1990. Over the years, Jesse has held a variety of jobs in the community, including Sanitation Specialist at Pizza Hut, Master of the Rinse Cycle at Taco Bell, and Master Replenisher at the Rock and Roll Resale shop.

Since moving to Homes for Independent Living in 2022, Jesse has made tremendous progress. With the support of HIL Sullivan staff and behavioral services, he has not required any hospitalizations—a milestone he is proud of. Jesse has also rebuilt relationships with his sister and father, and has successfully integrated into community activities, including attending a Packers game and looking forward to a Journey concert next year.

When asked what he enjoys most about HIL, Jesse shares that he values the company of staff, going out to play Bingo, visiting the Packer Hall of Fame (where he is an honorary lifetime member), playing pool, and going to the movies. He looks forward to another year of living in the community, managing his symptoms independently, and hopes to explore community employment and join a bowling league in the near future. Some of Jesse’s proudest moments include meeting Bret Michaels, attending a KISS concert, and visiting Disney World.

Jesse and his team are committed to helping him achieve his goals, and everyone is thrilled with the progress he has made. The staff and management at HIL Sullivan are grateful to be a part of his journey. Jesse is smart, funny, a fantastic sports reporter, and has a generous heart. The HIL family is truly lucky to have him.

Zhenya Scheu joined HIL on 5/8/23. He transitioned to Homes for Independent Living because he wanted to build more independence in his life. After settling in, Zhenya’s typical day began to include searching for a job he enjoyed and forming connections with others at HIL as well as people in the community. What Zhenya appreciates most about HIL is having the chance to be independent while still knowing support is available when he needs it.

Zhenya now works at Culver’s as a cashier, a job he loves. He feels it helps him stay busy, be productive, and contribute to his sense of independence. He shared that Homes for Independent Living has helped him feel safe while continuing to grow his independence.

Meet Lamonte, affectionately known as Monte—a nickname he loves to hear. Monte joined one of HIL’s Waukesha homes that specialized in behavioral support in September of 2020. Monte faced some challenges when he first arrived at Homes for Independent Living. Adjusting to new staff and surroundings was tough, as he is non-verbal, and Monte expressed his frustrations in his own unique ways.

Early on, communication between Monte and his team wasn’t easy. Both sides needed to find common ground. To help bridge this gap, Monte’s staff and management began posting pictures around the home of things Monte enjoys—his tablet, the van, favorite foods, and the swing outside. As Monte’s ability to communicate grew, so did the collection of pictures, making it easier for him to share his preferences.

With consistent support, Monte began to trust and bond with his staff. He’s learned to say words like “thank you,” “please,” “hi,” and “bye.” Monte also enjoys helping out around the house—vacuuming, taking out the garbage, helping with dinner prep, and even making juice and peanut butter sandwiches with staff supervision.

Monte is very active and loves spending time outdoors with his team. Together, they take long walks, swing outside, watch old black-and-white movies, listen to music, and even race up and down the driveway. The joy on Monte’s face says it all—he feels safe, happy, and at home.

Monte knows his staff care deeply for him and are dedicated to making sure he has everything he needs. The trust and connection built over time are clear to everyone who visits. Monte’s favorite things include his tablet, good food, and most of all, his home with his supportive staff.

Monte is an intelligent, kind soul and a true success story. We are proud to celebrate Monte and his dedicated team for all they have achieved together on this incredible journey.