Program offers host families for those with disabilities

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Most people want to live with family, but for a number of different reasons, that's not always possible for people with disabilities. Now, families are being created to give them a forever home.

Terry, 30, and Willie Newson, 28, are sisters. For many years, they have lived apart - they are excited to be reunited.

"It's been happy, I be with my sister. I can go to the movies and I can go to the mall with her," Willie said.

They were both placed with a host family. Now they live together in a home in the city's Roseland neighborhood with Shaunda Miller and her young daughter.

Miller gets a stipend to serve as the young women's caregiver. She also gets designated time off each week and two weeks paid vacation. Mostly, she gets to expand her family.

"That's exactly how it went, from being a family of two to a family of four. I wouldn't say overwhelming, but just a bit challenging. But like I said, I'm handling it. It's going good for me and I'm excited," Miller said.

The "host family" supported living program is just one offered by Envision Unlimited. The non-profit agency supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"We're looking for potential other hosts and individuals that would be committed to making a difference, that would be willing and able to support individuals with disabilities," said Donna Ennis, Envision Unlimited.

Families must pass a background check and get basic training on best practices. Miller says it's rewarding work.

"Here it is, I've come in to help these people and in turn, they're helping me because one of the ladies, Terry, she has so much confidence, honey, it is so much. Her confidence and ego is so big that I look at that in her and I admire that in her, I can pick some of this in you, so it's not just me helping them, it's them helping me as well," Miller said.

Envision Unlimited is currently recruiting more host families in the city and suburbs for adults with disabilities. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.envisionchicago.org/client-services/community-living-programs/new-program-become-a-host-family/.