Day in the Life of the Residents
At Noah Homes, we have 90 residents who live on our property. Our residents have jobs, day programs, activities, and many other things that fill their time and keep them busy. Often, these things are done with other friends who live at Noah Homes, as well as with friends who live in the community.
We wanted to provide you with an insight into what a day in the life of one of our residents looks like. Let’s look into the life of Laura, one of our residents who lives at Casa de Fe and attends St. Madeline Sophie’s Center for day program:
6:00 AM
The residents start their day early. They get ready for the day, eat breakfast, pack their lunch, do chores such as making their bed, and catch up with the morning staff. The staff are there to help and support them as needed.
7:45 AM
The residents walk to the van that will take them to their job and/or day program. In Laura's case, her boyfriend Tim walks with her to the van every morning. Once on their way, the car ride is filled with music, conversation, and laughter as friends share the excitement of the day.
8:00 AM
The residents arrive at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center. There are a variety of things to do at the program including working in the garden, taking dance classes, and making art at Sophie’s Gallery to name a few.
This is where the residents spend the majority of their day. They get to interact with their friends, be creative, learn life skills, and more.
3:00 PM
The residents get picked up from their day program(s). The car ride home is filled with stories about their day.
3:30 PM
The residents arrive home and unwind after a long day of work. All of the residents relax in different ways from reading, gaming, or socializing.
AFTERNOON/EVENING
Depending on the day, the residents have different activities they participate in after program including dance class at Arts in Motion, mid-week church services, Zumba down at the Community Center, karaoke, People First (an advocacy group started and run by the residents of Noah Homes), crafts, game nights, Noah’s PERCH* events (a social club developed for and by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities), and more.
After the afternoon activities, the residents typically all have dinner together as a house. The table is filled with good food, conversation, and laughter. After dinner, the residents will watch movies, socialize with other folks, play games, etc.
Many of our residents have a significant other. The residents love to spend time with their partners, and they often participate in activities together, go on dates, or call/text each other at night. Laura enjoys spending her evenings with Tim. They will often take each other out to a restaurant, or the movies, or have a date night at home. They love to be silly and laugh together, especially in dance class.
With 90 residents, there are plenty of milestones to celebrate from birthdays and anniversaries to accomplishing a personal goal;
Tommy, a resident from Casa de Paz, always comes down to the administrative office to show off his paycheck whenever he gets paid. The staff is always so excited for him and congratulates him on a job well done.
Holidays are a big affair at Noah Homes. Many of the residents go home and celebrate with their loved ones, but those who stay at Noah Homes have a fun-filled time with their friends and staff. At Christmas, each of the houses plans a holiday party where they open gifts from one another. For the Fourth of July, they plan a big BBQ bash with music and tons of food. The staff makes an effort to celebrate the small moments and the big moments, so all of the residents feel loved and special.
The residents also go on fun vacations every year. They go on cruises and visit places like Disneyland, Legoland, Santee Lakes, San Francisco, and so much more. These trips are a highlight for the residents, and they look forward to them every year. The residents work with their Residential Managers and staff to plan house vacations. It’s a fun, collaborative process.
We hope this article gives you a glimpse into what life is like at Noah Homes. For a video retelling from Laura, see below.
We want to provide our residents with a meaningful and joy-filled life. Every dollar you donate allows us to provide exceptional care that goes beyond just basic needs. Consider donating today to support the vibrant, enriching lives of all of our residents.
Thank you for your generosity and support. You are truly making a difference in all who live and work at Noah Homes.
*Noah's PERCH hosts monthly events for the residents of Noah Homes as well as for other adults in the San Diego community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These events range from field days and dances at Noah Homes to going to the San Diego Zoo, Sesame Place, or museums at Balboa Park. The purpose of this social group is to foster new connections and experience the beauty of San Diego together. Interested in joining Noah's PERCH? Learn more here.