Narrator: They are our neighbors.
They are our friends.
They are our family.
The Oregon Supported Living Program helps bring us all together.
On this day the family reunion is a very big deal for all.
A picnic in the park, life doesn't get much better than that.
Don Prentice (Housing Director): What we do as an agency, we support people with Developmental disabilities, we support them in a community setting.
Narrator: Many of these folks were hidden from society in institutions. Now, they live in one of OSLPs 16 group home settings or in apartments supported by OSLP. 70 to 80 people are supported by OSLP.
Don Prentice (Housing Director): Quickly what we realized is that in fact people experiencing life the way everyone experiences life actually thrive better.
Narrator: Susan and her husband Gary are part of the OSLP family.
Susan: (reading) I am in a garden, a garden of beautiful colors...
Narrator: Susan loves to write poetry about love and life the way she sees it.
Susan: (reading) …I am in a garden in the mountains on the hill of love.
Don Prentice (Housing Director): We do it because we want to see folks live ordinary lives and even though they have extraordinary needs.
Susan: It’s opened up my world because of the fact the staff is so sweet and understanding they are very wonderful.
Don Prentice (Housing Director): I get to see people live out their dreams, that’s what I am here for.
Susan: (reading) I am in the forever garden. Since I am in the eternal garden of love and have God’s eternal peace, now mine as well…. It has opened things for me because, um I feel, like I have more freedom to do things I want to. They encourage you, help you to get out into the community and be more independent.
Don Prentice (Housing Director): OSLP is like a family, it is more than just a company to work for….
Gretchen Dubie (Executive Director): Giving them choice in their day, giving them choice in the simplest things in their day, and really providing the support but not in a controlling kind of way….
Don Prentice (Housing Director): I believe that if people are experiencing what they are dreaming about than life becomes happier.
Narrator: OSLP does not believe people should fit into a puzzle.
Don Prentice (Housing Director): …it’s make the puzzle fit each person’s needs.
Gretchen Dubie (Executive Director): And I believe in it, ya know, I truly believe. I have seen the houses, I’ve seen the residence, I’ve seen the staff, there’s very loving kind interactions going on and you can tell our staff really truly treat our residence as their family…and that is the foundation of what we are doing here; family support for our people.
Narrator: OSLP is about choice.
OSLP is about independence.
OSLP is about giving voice to those who sometimes cannot speak for themselves.
But most of all, OSLP is about living life the way it should be, in community with honor.