3 minute read
Living Life to the Fullest
UPFRONT
COMMUNITY // BY LINDA FEAGLER
Living Life to the Fullest
Medina Creative Housing embraces opportunities for its residents.
As dawn breaks over the city, the residents and members of Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates are already hard at work. Founded in 1992, the nonprofit organization offers independent living that supports housing and job opportunities to individuals with disabilities, helping them overcome obstacles and be a part of a community.
“Medina Creative Housing was formed by a group of parents who had children with disabilities, ” says the organization’s CEO Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty. “They were looking for a way to create a brighter future for their loved ones, as well as others with disabilities. It was established to take individuals out of institutional settings and place them in a community.”
The organization’s affordable 88 single-family homes and apartments are home to residents with a broad spectrum of developmental and intellectual disabilities. Others live with challenges resulting from devastating accidents.
“I was led to the organization 20 years ago because I have a brother who’s physically disabled from a car accident, and I’m the legal guardian for his son, who is on the autism spectrum,” DePasquale-Hagerty says.
Designed to create a safety net setting for its residents, the dwellings are tailor-made to be easily accessible for all residents — including those using walkers or wheelchairs. The garden apartments feature conveniences such as low counters, washers and dryers and accessible bathrooms. Medicaid Certified Support Services, including help with direct care, transportation, after-school programs and vocational habilitation are available for eligible residents.
Medina Creative Housing is partnering with the Ursuline Sisters to create 25 new housing units in Pepper Pike in 2022, enabling individuals to remain in their community to live the “American Dream” in a fully supported home of their own and give their parents peace of mind for their child’s future.
In addition to living spaces throughout the county, Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates provides myriad ways to be productive and enjoy life. Medina Creative Living HUD developments are also available.
Cuyahoga Community College Parma Campus partners with Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates to offer Creative Transitions, post-secondary college programs for persons with disabilities that include individualized meetings with students to review academic progress, tutoring services, career training and transition counseling and career exploration.
There is also an executive functioning, social thinking and reframing curriculum day program offered in the new day program facility in Middleburg Heights.
The nonprofit’s other Life Steps initiatives include the Medina Creative Therapy Ranch, which offers therapeutic horse riding and equine assisted learning opportunities that enhance participants’ equestrian skills, motor control, balance and independence.
Job training and employment opportunities are provided in ways that lead to a sense of self confidence, along with growing self esteem and earning an income.
“Those who enter our program will develop the skills they need to step out into the community, be successful and keep that job,” DePasquale-Hagerty says. “When people with disabilities are placed out in the community without the skills they need to do the job, they often fail, and businesses are reluctant to hire them. We’re changing that paradigm.”
Individuals with disabilities, along with two managers, staff Medina Creative Pet Play, a full-service doggie day care spa offering grooming, boarding and homemade treats.
Residents are also employed at Grande Cafe & Roastery in Medina and Soprema Cafe in Wadsworth, featuring specialty gourmet coffees from around the world and sweet treats made by Medina Creative Housing residents. Fresh produce grown at the nonprofit’s hydroponic greenhouse are key ingredients in the salads and wraps.
Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates produce and canine treats can also be purchased online at medinacreativehousing.com/our-products.
“We try to be as inclusive as possible to create housing services and support to enable individuals with disabilities to live their lives with dignity and opportunity,” DePasquale-Hagerty says.
