By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Twenty-years ago a community was founded in Buffalo that brought able-bodied and disabled people together to live as a family. Now, the head of that family, Sister Rose Mary Cauley is retiring in March and the other family members are looking for new homes. WBFO's Joyce Kryszak has more on the closing of Providence Community.
The house and the family have been a labor of love. Sister Rose and Community volunteers converted this old duplex on Breckenridge into a single family, handicap accessible home.
Sister Rose lives here with 41 year-old Theresa and 74 year-old Stanley. Both have severe mental and physical disabilities. On this day they make plans for a vacation.
But plans now also center around finding new homes for Theresa and Stanley. Until the decision to close the home, the family consisted of four disabled adults and Sister Rose.
Sister Rose said it was hard when the first of their family moved to his new home. She said 64 year-old Tom had been with her for 14 years. Although it was difficult, she knew he had the courage to go.
Still, Sister Rose agreed it was time for her to retire. Even with volunteer help, she said the 24-hour a day responsibility was physically too difficult.
The trained rehabilitation therapist is certified as a family care provider through People Incorporated. Rhonda Frederick is the Chief Operating Officer for People Inc. She said Providence Community was a wonderful alternate to the traditional group home.
That is why Frederick said it is especially sad that Providence is closing. She said there are currently about 800 disabled adults in Western New York who are waiting for somewhere to call home, and roughly only 20 certified family care providers.
Anyone interested in becoming a family care provider can contact People Inc. for more information.
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