Karen Broughton’s son Andrew has been living at a home operated by Mainstay Supportive Housing in Boston for close to a decade. When the family was searching for a place Andrew could call home, her biggest concern was one shared by many parents considering an independent alternative to the family home for their adult child with disabilities.
“My biggest fear related to Andrew living on his own was his safety,” said Broughton. “Mainstay has kept him both safe and happy for 10 years now.”
Andrew is an active young man. He spends a lot of time both at the home in Norwood, MA as well as out and about in the community.
“I love taking Uber places,” said Andrew. “I love riding the train, too.”
“He has certainly enjoyed living here very much,” said Broughton. “He’s made a lot of friends. There have been so many times when he’s called me up because he wants to cook dinner for his friends and I’ve given him a recipe and he’s gone to the grocery store and bought all the ingredients.”
Any fears Broughton had about Andrew feeling isolated or alone were alleviated very quickly after he moved in.
“Whenever Andrew wants to be with a friend, there’s always somebody nearby that he can be with,” said Broughton. “This is a wonderful place in a self-contained neighborhood, and you don’t see that very much.”
When asked what she would say to parents who are searching for an independent yet supportive housing for their adult child with intellectual or developmental disabilities, Broughton urged parents to tour Mainstay.
“I would tell them they should definitely come here and take a look,” said Broughton. “It’s well worth it. The community accepts them. I’ve been to restaurants with Andrew and everybody knows him and they are glad to see him and his friends. Mainstay’s supportive housing is such a good place for these young adults.”
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