An American Dream Come True: A Blueprint for Success

For many people, home ownership represents the so-called 'American Dream.' It symbolizes pride, success, accomplishment and independence.

For Ken Larson, Dick Servatius and John Zidlicky, three individuals with developmental disabilities from Aurora, Ill., they know first-hand what that pride feels like because of their achievement and success in buying a home together in January.

The idea for owning a home was brought about by a program called Project Groundfloor, which is operated by the Kane-Kendall Service Coordinators in Northern Illinois. The program helps individuals with developmental disabilities purchase their own homes. The Illinois Department of Human Services and the Office of Developmental Disabilities is now overseeing Project Groundfloor through a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

"The idea just kind of happened," recalls Karie Arch, Bethesda Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) Manager for Aurora, Ill. "Susan Larson, Illinois Kane-Kendall's service coordinator, contacted Kathy Eulitz, Bethesda's Central Region Administrator, about funds from this program called Project Groundfloor. Arch told Eulitz about the program and asked if Eulitz knew anyone who was interested in buying a home.

"Eulitz called Lori Gilbert, Bethesda's Northern and Central Illinois Administrator, and myself, and discussed this great opportunity. We immediately thought of Ken, Dick and John."

A meeting was then set up with Ken, Dick and John, along with their families and people who are associated with them through Bethesda, to discuss the idea.

"The guys decided they wanted to pursue this opportunity," says Arch. "So we talked to them about how the program works and how they qualify. Lori and I then developed a budget that would ease the families concerns about money, and it just moved on from there.

"I think what makes this situation so wonderful is that Ken, Dick and John were in the right place at the right time," says Arch. "And their families supported them 100 percent. They all think this is great because I'm sure they never thought their children would ever become home owners."

Arch did mention there was some concern from the families about vulnerability.

"I think it's because we've never encountered this situation before," Arch adds. " It's new for everyone. We've never had individuals with developmental disabilities pay directly for their own utilities, their mortgage, etc. Everything is a first.

"Ken, John and Dick represent the picture-perfect situation for this kind of opportunity, says Arch. "They have support because Bethesda is so strong in supporting them. We're not going to let anything bad happen to them, or let them be taken advantage of. We're not going to let them fall behind on things."

As for the three individuals themselves, things couldn't have worked out any better. Ken, Dick and John have known each other for a long time. In fact, they had been living together in the Montgomery, Ill., group home until Bethesda started the Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) program. They were the first individuals to live at a CILA facility.

"They became dissatisfied with the living arrangements and the CILA," Arch says. "It was crowded and they had to share rooms. So, the three went together to move into an apartment in April of 2000. This is where they were living when they bought the house. They were already used to living together and by the time they bought the house together in January, they had already been living together for almost 11 years."

The effort to find the perfect house was not an easy one. All told, Ken, Dick and John looked at a total of 10 houses.

"They actually put a bid in on another home in Aurora in 2003, but they were turned down," adds Arch. "The people who were selling the home wanted $5,000 more than the guys were willing to pay. So they all said they were just going to leave it up to God. They decided to pray about it and felt if they found another house, then it was meant to be. And shortly thereafter they found another house!"

Right from the start, the house seemed to be a perfect fit for the three individuals.

"It's a perfect house for them to live in for a long time," says Arch. "It's one level and it has everything they need."

Before Ken, Dick and John were able to move in, there was some remodeling that had to be done. They painted and put new carpeting in their bedrooms, refinished the cabinets in the kitchen, and bought new appliances. The biggest remodeling project occurred when they remodeled the laundry room - expanding it to include another bathroom.

"All three were all involved with the remodeling decisions," adds Arch. "They were at the house a lot during this time, helping all the volunteers and staff who were working on the remodeling efforts."

Arch says the contracting was done by Supported Living Assistant (SLA) Lois Dierck's husband.

"Basically when the loan was made, it was made for about $7,000 over the cost to allow for some remodeling," Arch states. "He used the money to pay for materials, appliances, along with other necessary items, and he volunteered all the labor himself. A few people he works with volunteered their time as well. Bethesda staff members rolled up their sleeves and pitched in too. It was a team effort to get the house ready.

"Their families are still very involved," adds Arch. "In fact, John's father did a lot to help with the house. It was heartwarming to see John and his dad working together. His dad would show him how to do things and John took right to it."

Like running any household, Ken, Dick and John each have responsibilities to make sure things run smoothly in their home. Staff is there for only about four hours each day, but they each learned emergency routines and how to reach staff members in the event of an emergency. All three have specific daily living jobs within the home as well.

"They all take turns with the house duties," says Arch. "All three love to cook, and they take turns cooking on different nights. They take care of their own rooms too. When furnishing their rooms, all three picked out their own paint and carpet, and went shopping for all the materials.

"John would like a garden," says Arch. "He really loves the yard. That was one of the things he was looking for with a house. He's looking forward to mowing the lawn.

When they aren't working and taking care of their house, Ken, Dick and John have no trouble keeping busy.

"They are really active in their church - St. Paul' Lutheran Church in Aurora," says Arch. "All of the guys enjoy fellowship within the church. There's a bible class they attend regularly too, which just so happens to be taught by Bethesda Supported Living Assistant Joann Hanson.

"All three are very active in community organizations too, including the local chapter of the Kiwanis Aktion Club. The club promotes community awareness to and from individuals with disabilities through socialization and involvement in community service."

Ken, Dick and John love their new home and continue to grow and thrive within the community.

"One of the great things about the guys buying their own home and being so active is the fact that it's making the community more aware of Bethesda," says Arch. "People in the community are now aware that individuals with developmental disabilities can successfully live within the community. But they probably don't understand the obstacles they are up against, or what incredible drive they have to make it work.

"Their families have also contributed to their success through their wonderful support. There is such a love for the three of them that there is no way they would ever fail."