12/28/2021
Things are winding down here at Michael’s House, and it is with so many mixed emotions that I write out this good-bye letter to you all. Baseball announcer, Ernie Harwell is quoted as saying “It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather say hello…hello to a new adventure.” This is where we are now, saying HELLO to a new adventure!
I think it is very rare in life to live in one place for as long as some of our residents have. I know that I get itchy after just a few short years in one place, yet some of our residents have lived here 30 and 45 years! This says a lot about the care, stability, and love we were able to provide here at Michael’s House and that is something I will always be very proud to have been a part of. Yes, it is a great shame that our residential facility has been forced out of business due to the changing times, but we can look back at our time here knowing that we did our absolute best for the residents who lived here.
Moving forward, I am so happy to tell you that the non-profit organization of Michael’s House, Inc. will continue to exist. The current Board of Directors has decided to switch our focus towards more philanthropic endeavors. We will continue to need your support as we refocus and shift our efforts into providing grants and scholarships to other individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities and the residential facilities that support them. We are imagining opportunities like a Birthday Scholarship in honor of Matt P. who loves his birthday, or a Travel Grant in honor of Jet-Setting James who loved to travel. After the first of the year, the Board will convene to develop future grants and plan fundraisers in order for us to continue to give back to our community and honor the long-time residents who called Michael’s House “home.”
In closing, I wish to thank all our dedicated supporters. I also want to thank all the amazing staff people and families who have made Michael’s House so incredibly special. Please continue to support our new projects and share our mission with your friends. Together, we can continue to make real impacts on the lives of people living with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Stay tuned for more to come!
📸 Nan Phelps Photography
