A New “New Life”

Thanks to Unity House donors and a new state grant, seven people with disabilities will soon get to live in a new, fully accessible home.

In August, New York State awarded a $647,000 Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV grant to purchase land and build a new group home in Cayuga County. Donations from Unity House supporters will cover remaining expenses, estimated at about $100,000.

The residents currently live in a former farmhouse that Unity House in 1993 turned into its first IRA (individualized residential alternative). Costs to maintain the IRA, known as “New Life,” have steadily increased over the years. More importantly, the two-story home requires residents to climb stairs, which becomes more difficult and dangerous as residents age.

“New Life II” will be built as a single floor home, with accessible features throughout. That means residents won’t have to move away as their mobility decreases with age, said Amy Santobianco, director of PWDD residential services.

“I’m thrilled about this and am so happy for the residents,” Amy said. In the new home, residents will “age in place with dignity, surrounded by people they care about, in a setting that supports their changing needs.”

By giving residents more autonomy, the new home will also ease the physical strain on staff members, who help residents move about and take care of themselves.

For information on contributing to the construction of New Life II, contact Chris at chris.iven@unityhouse.org or 315-252-6227 ext. 360.