Most parents can understand Joe Iannoni’s fears about having his daughter, Allie, move out of the house for the first time. Allie has Down Syndrome and lived with her father and stepmother until five years ago, when she was in her mid-20s.
“I was probably the one who held her back the most,” said Iannoni. “Allie’s mom passed away a long time ago. My wife Susan is very supportive and she encouraged and helped Allie to progress.”
Iannoni says it became obvious that Allie was bored at home. She vocalized wanting to move out, the way her three older siblings had. He says his daughter is now thriving. He visits often and makes a point to take her grocery shopping every week, joking that without those trips he would rarely see her.
“She’s so happy there,” said Iannoni. “She likes coming home, but not that often. She enjoys being at the house and being with her friends. They have lots of things for them to do there. She enjoys going to the park with her friends as well as trips to Dunkin’ Donuts.”
Based in Newton, Mass., Mainstay is a non-profit organization that provides affordable and supportive housing for adults with intellectual and other disabilities. Residents at their homes in Newton, Norwood, and Malden enjoy group activities and share evening meals they help to prepare. Like many of her fellow residents, Allie maintains a job outside of the house. She works in the kitchen at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children.
Iannoni says while Allie is very energetic, she isn’t typically very verbal. The support the Mainstay staff gives is why he feels she is in a safe and nurturing environment. “The staff’s very good,” said Iannoni. “They are responsive. [The residents] have their freedom. There’s not someone there 24 hours a day. There are some planned gaps, but overnight there is a staff member who live in the in-house apartment. The house manager is very good. We feel very good about everything at the house safety-wise.”
Iannoni recommends that parents of children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities set up an appointment and “get to know” Mainstay.
“This isn’t a place for someone with high medical needs,” said Iannoni. “But it’s a good place for someone who can handle a bit of independence. It’s a really comforting environment.”
To learn more about Mainstay, email contact@mainstayliving.org.
