The six women of Life’s WORC’s Rosedale group home recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their residence.
Founded in 1971, the mission of Life’s WORC “is to provide services that facilitate an independent and productive life experience for individuals with developmental disabilities including autism spectrum,” according to its web site. One of the organization’s services is providing residential homes.
Life’s WORC assistant executive director of operations Neal Schweifel explained that the women “live together like any other family and are provided the needed supports to ensure for their health and safety.” With a staff of 12 employees and four managers, including on-site registered nurse Maureen Clemmins, the women receive around the clock care.
“The Rosedale ladies have come a long way over the past 10 years since moving out of institutional environments and into a home of their own,” Schweifel said.
Life’s WORC has 222 individuals living in 13 homes in Queens and 23 others in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
In celebration of the Rosedale home’s anniversary, its residents, staff and others from Life’s WORC gathered for a June party in the home’s garden, which the residents contribute to and care for.
During the party, the residents danced to songs from the ‘70s and enjoyed a Wii game system along with lunching on hot dogs, barbecued chicken and Jamaican food. The hit of the party was a cake decorated with a group picture of the Rosedale home residents.
“Our slogan is ‘living with dignity, growing with pride,’ and these ladies truly enjoy the finer things in life,” resident manager Stephanie Richardson said.
Richardson explained that Life’s WORC’s five core values are “responsibility to our individuals, quality, creating and maintaining a scene, staff development and recognition, and communication.”
For more information about Life’s WORC, visit www.lifesworc.org.
