West Prince woman honoured for 20 years of sharing her home

Bloomfieldresident Theresa Arsenault has spent her life helping to take care of more than a dozen adults with intellectual challenges, although she has never thought of it as work.

"It's the reward of love, and family togetherness, I have those fond memories to look back on, and I've loved every one of them," said Arsenault.

She is part of the alternate living programthrough Community Inclusions, an organization that provides services and housing to adults with intellectual challenges in western P.E.I.

Independent housing, assisted living, and live-in care housing options are available across West Prince.

But often people are looking for more choices, said residential services coordinator Ethel Ellsworth-Gallant.

Right to a home

"If someone comes to us and says I want to live with a family, I don't want to live in a group home and I don't want to live in an apartment, I want to live with a family in the community, that's their choice and it's their right," said Gallant.

Theresa Arsenault was inspired to be part of an associate familywith the program through her own daughter Lisa, who has Down syndrome.

Arsenault decided to quit her job 20 years agoto give Lisa full-time care, a difficult decision as a single mom.

Often she would have three or fourextra people in her home, although now she has just two.

Big happy family

Being an associate family doesn't pay much, said Arsenault, enough to keep everyone fed and clothed, but that's not why she does it.

"We're like a big happy family, we enjoy each other's company," she said."Christmas morning was a big, big day here, taking them shopping ... there was so much love, we all worked together, if there was dishes to do, we did them. It was just like a big family."

While up to 15 families in the past have been part of the alternate living program, that number has dwindled to just a couple, but the need is currently growing.

In a recent survey, the organization found that more clients than ever before are struggling with complex housing issues.

Many are homeless without a permanent residence, others are living in hospitals temporarily, or with aging parents who don't know what will happen when they can no longer care for them.

"The need is there, and people will come forward," said executive director, Kevin Porter. "Someone that doesn't have a home that belongs to them, that's been an ongoing challenge; couch surfing, people living with friends, relatives ... it's a challenge in some cases for sure. It's disheartening, you want to help keep moving forward and providing those supports."

Revamp of program

A $30,000 provincial grant is helping to fund a revamp of the alternate livingprogram.

Already there are a handful of families who are ready to get on board, said Ethel Ellsworth-Gallant.

There's a rigorous application process with criminal background checks, medical checks, safety and insurance checks in the home, and several references.

Compensation for families comes from government funding through disability programs.

Respite services are also available for families a couple of times amonth.

Challenging work

Arsenault plans to be part of the program as long as she can, although she does recognize it can be challenging.

"Its not for everybody, you don't have a whole lot of time to be yourself, unless you have someone willing to help you out," she said. "Everyone used to say to me, 'are you nuts for doing this kind of work?' And I used to say, no, this is the kind of work I like!"

Community Inclusions recently gave Arsenault the annual Pioneer Award for her 20 years of service in the community.

"I don't really deserve this, I didn't do it to get the award," she said."But I appreciate it very, very much. When I look back over the years I'm proud of all the work I have done and the people I have helped, and I wonder what would have happened to them if I hadn't of taken them in?"

Community Inclusions is planning to hold some information sessions on the program in the near future.

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