Living independently for the first time is a big step for anyone – and it’s one Noah and his family have especially been looking forward to. In December, 25-year-old Noah moved out on his own for the first time.
With support from The Arc’s Living Options & Services team, Noah now lives in a group home in Linthicum, MD, with roommates and the support he needs to live the life he envisions for himself.
What is Living Options and Services?
Supporting people like Noah to be active and engaged in the community starts with ensuring they have the support they need at home.
In The Arc’s Living Options & Services program, people live independently or together in homes throughout the community. Every home offers private bedrooms and shared living spaces as well as dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSP) providing anywhere from 18 to 24 hours of support every day.
DSPs support people in every facet of their lives, such as accessing healthcare, attending medical appointments and follow-ups, building and maintaining relationships with housemates and friends throughout the community, facilitating daily living activities like cooking and laundry, and actively engaging in the community on weekends through activities like attending religious services and participating in social clubs or events.
The Arc’s team gets to know each person and matches people to tailored living experiences, ensuring that roommates and the home itself align with people’s needs and preferences.
“We don’t have 100% occupancy with our houses all the time because it doesn’t make sense for people to live with someone who isn’t compatible with them or in a home that isn’t going to meet their needs,” says Niki Jones, Director of Living Options & Services. “We would rather support people in finding their forever home – or as close to it as we possibly can. It’s a far more person-centered approach.”
Both Noah and his family appreciate The Arc’s person-centered approach as he prepares for the exciting new adventure of living independently.
Preparing for Independence
To ensure a seamless transition, The Arc’s team worked closely with Noah and his family throughout the process. Michelle, Noah’s mother, expressed her appreciation for the support and guidance they received, saying, “I enjoyed meeting the employees—everyone was helpful. If I had a question, it was redirected to the right person immediately. I never felt in the dark.”
Noah and his family first became familiar with The Arc during his transition from high school to adult services. After exploring various options, they felt The Arc was the best fit. “Noah started with The Arc right after COVID,” Michelle recalled. “We loved how included he felt and how well we were kept up to date about changes as things opened. Noah has a team of people behind him. All of them are working together on his behalf. He has lots of help finding a job, not just housing. It’s a true lifestyle he’s living now.”
In the months leading up to Noah’s move, his family worked hard to prepare him for this exciting new step. They encouraged him to take on more responsibilities at home and talked to him about living with new housemates. Noah has quickly bonded with his new roommate, describing him as his best friend. He’s most excited about the independence that comes with this next chapter. “He’s ready to make his own choices and even his own mistakes,” Michelle shared. “He’s really owning it.”
Michelle and her husband are equally excited about the opportunities this transition opens for their entire family. For over 20 years, they put their dream of living on a boat on hold to focus on Noah’s needs. Now, as empty nesters, they are ready to revisit that dream. “Now that both of our kids are out of the house, we’re going to sell our home and buy a boat,” Michelle said. “This is the thing we’ve wanted to do forever, and now that we know our kids are secure and surrounded by people who support them, we can also feel secure accomplishing our dreams.”
Dedicated Support from The Arc
Noah has the support of his DSP Melissa, who works closely with him to help him access the community and be as independent as possible.
“The most you can hope for is that your child meets people who care about him, want to help him, and see his value,” Michelle said. “Melissa is one of those people. She’s enthusiastic about Noah and excited to see what he can do.”
This new chapter represents much more than a move – it’s an opportunity for Noah to build a fulfilling, independent life and for his family to embrace their own future with confidence and joy. The Arc’s Living Options & Services program creates opportunities for people throughout the community to live the life they want.