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| Rosemary Haibon graduated from Windham High School in 2021 and conducted a fundraiser and solicited donations from area nurseries to help autistic residents of Port Resources group homes in Windham to plant gardens. She was diagnosed with autism herself in sixth grade. COURTESY PHOTO |
Windham is the host to two residential group homes for individuals diagnosed with intellectual developmental disabilities and/or autism.
The homes are operated by Port Resources, a non-profit organization based out of South Portland that has provided services across Southern Maine for approximately 40 years. In addition to the residential homes, the organization also offers additional living arrangements to meet the various needs of their clients.
“We also have three Shared Living homes in Windham,” said Misty Niman, Port Resource’s Director of Quality Assurance. “Shared Living is when an individual is supported in a private home with a Shared Living Provider, similar to the foster care system. We have Shared Living homes that have been happily part of Windham for 15-plus years.”
Port Resources’ mission is to build a community where everyone
is valued, accepted and empowered to achieve their full potential by offering
various opportunities and activities within the greater Windham area.
“Individuals that we support access their communities just like
you and I do,” Niman said. “They go to the grocery store, the doctor’s office,
the library, the movie theater - pretty much any place you and I might attend,
they may attend. The only difference is that they may have a Direct Support
Professional (DSP) supporting them to get there, help with communication, and
provide guidance around decision-making and managing safety if necessary.”
Niman said that some individuals are independent and can easily participate in community activities on their own; they may be in a bowling league, have a job or a volunteer role, and they may like to spend time at the library or attend a local gym or social center.
“Port Resources assists individuals to build on their
independence so that they can make as many of their own choices as possible and
enjoy their communities as they would wish to,” Niman said. “We love local
resources like the library, adult education courses and community gatherings, like
the Windham Summerfest.”
Innovation and collaboration have always been two of the many guiding principles and values that contribute to Port Resources' success, and thus the success of the people they serve.
“Port Resources aspires to continually evolve as an
organization- to ensure we are providing services that are keeping pace with
the desires of those we support,” Niman said. “Services look different today
than they did twenty years ago- and they should. As we learn more, and as
individuals who receive services are gaining stronger voices in the system of
care, we want to make sure we are listening and responding accordingly. To
achieve this goal, it takes innovation and collaboration- because the system of
care is not always very nimble to the changing landscape.”
One example Niman shared was their Achieving Independence in
Maine (AIM) program. This program addressed the gap in services for young
adults on the Autism Spectrum who were ready to leave their childhood home but
were not prepared to live entirely on their own yet.
“We formed a think tank of community leaders to help us develop
the concept of this program; then we worked with the State of Maine to
determine how we could make existing funding sources support this program,” she
said. “This supported apartment program supports young adults (typically
between 18-24 years old) who are ‘launching’ into independent adulthood- who
come live in our apartment building for up to two to three years and develop
the necessary independent living, safety and social skills to give them the
confidence to live on their own.”
As a result, individuals get jobs, go to college, volunteer, and
are supported to live their own life. Once they move to their apartment, they
will have some weekly and minimal staffing to continue to provide support, but
their network of support is far more prosperous with the natural help of family
and friends.
Niman explained that in the past individuals might have remained
with their families or may have moved to group homes. This model allows new
opportunities for individuals to live productive, independent lives.
The organization has been very appreciative of the Windham
community and all it has to offer those who have made this town their home,
supporting individuals who are well-rounded and contributing members of
society.
“Area businesses and community members welcoming individuals
with IDD/Autism, who may have support staff to assist them, are greatly
appreciated,” Niman said. “It is helpful when differences are accepted and
celebrated- as it makes everyone feel safer and included.”
Niman said that opportunities within Windham and the surrounding
towns are critical for a non-profit agency supporting individuals with minimal
budgets, especially in today’s economy.
“Traveling far, as we all know, is expensive these days. To
live, work and play within the same community is a solution to and lowers the
costs of travel.”
Niman said the financial challenges in managing an operation
that assists the people they serve are tough.
“There are many challenges operating State-funded services as
our rates are set by the system of care and they do not keep pace with what is
happening in the real world (cost of goods and services, wages, etc.). The
State revenue we receive only goes toward the cost of services and does not
afford any funds to support community engagement- these funds must come from
the individual’s own limited money, and from the fund raising we do
specifically around community integration. We believe in the concept of a
‘village of support’ and so anytime individuals or communities step forward
with any assistance, we are very appreciative.”
Small acts in which the Windham community can be a part of this
“village of support” can include small gift cards to places like coffee shops,
theater productions, movie theaters, etc. It opens opportunities for community
engagement and connection.
“If any business or organization in Windham has community
engagement ideas or resources to share, I would love to hear from them,” Niman
said. “Anyone can reach out to me at mniman@portresources.org. Anytime individuals
or communities step forward with any assistance, we are very
appreciative.”
For more information about Port Resources, peruse their website
at www.portresources.org. For anyone
interested in employment opportunities, call Jenn Dearborn at 207-828-0048 ext.
121 or email at jdearborn@portresources.org.
For those interested in becoming a Shared Living Provider, please contact Dana Green at dgreen@portresources.org. <
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