Need Housing? Introducing Mainstay’s Supportive Housing for Adults with Disabilities
Mainstay Supportive Housing’s newly renovated home on Mikayla’s Way in Walpole has openings for adults with a variety of disabilities.
Mainstay provides supportive housing in select communities around Massachusetts. “We have a model that is unique in many ways and that is what sets us apart,” said Doreen Cummings, Mainstay’s Director of Services.
Welcoming Mainstay’s Walpole Home
From the outside, the Walpole home resembles many of the other beautiful, residential homes in town—and that’s exactly the point. Adults residing in this supportive housing in Boston each enjoy their own bedroom and typically share a bathroom with one or two others. “A day at our Walpole home is full of activities. You might find residents taking part in a game night, or having a cookout in the yard. From the outside and the inside, this home looks and feels like a welcoming place to live, because it is,” explained Cummings.
The majority of residents at Mainstay’s supportive housing have part-time jobs in close proximity to the home they live in. Some also participate in day programs. Full and part-time Mainstay staff members provide support and home care services to guests.
Two staff members also reside nearby in the house—in their own private space. Each resident spends one-on-one time with a staff member every day. Residents and staff members also plan and prepare dinner together every evening.
“Learning to live independently is an important goal for many residents,” said Cummings. “We do everything we can to make the transition to supportive housing easy. Our residents are excited to be with us and we are extremely proud of that.”
Building Connections & Community
The Mainstay supportive housing service model concentrates on helping residents build social connections and a sense of community, in addition to becoming independent. Cummings says she’s particularly proud that many residents gain the skills and tools needed to eventually leave Mainstay and live on their own.
“Finding affordable housing in Boston for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities such as autism or Down syndrome is extremely challenging. We see many families who are searching for a home for their loved one without funding or support from the state, and it can be a complex and confusing process,” said Susan Horner, Chief Operating Officer for Mainstay Supportive Housing. “Every family should have peace of mind knowing their loved one is in a safe and nurturing home, and we provide that at a price they can afford.”
Staying Safe & Supportive Through Mainstay
Horner points to Cummings as an asset for families who are struggling to understand the complexities of affording home care services and identifying a safe, comfortable place for their loved one to live.
“Doreen has an incredible breadth of knowledge regarding MassHealth, Social Security, Section 8 housing vouchers, and other benefits,” said Horner. “Every family’s situation is different, and we have the ability to break down a complicated system and find financial solutions they might not have thought of on their own.”
People interested in touring Mainstay’s homes in Norwood, Newton, Malden and Walpole should contact Doreen at doreen.cummings@mainstayliving.org.
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