Gateway Homes

Gateway is a non-profit company established in 1988. Its mandate is to provide a range of community supports to a group of people with mental handicaps who lived for many years either in institutions or in their own family homes. Most of these people are now middle-aged. These people have a wide range of skills, gifts, and requirements. All have ne... eds that, in one way or another, will present a challenge to those who support them. Everybody involved in Gateway believes that, given time and with individualized support, provided in a home and community setting, these people will learn many new things, and build positive relationships with others. Gateway is committed to keeping the focus of all its activities on the needs and aspirations of each person as an individual trying to help each one build a satisfying and meaningful life with the support of family, friends, and community, as well as paid staff. We believe that supporting these people will be largely a good experience. However, we recognize that there may be stressful times as people adapt to a more independent lifestyle. Staff supporting them must be prepared to live with the stress as well as the good times. The people supported by Gateway live in groups of two or three in homes in the Metro area. We have grouped them according to their skills and personalities, rather than their needs. We hope that each house will really be home for the people living in it, and that they will come to feel that it is theirs. Out of each home, Gateway operates community-based activities. These help each person to develop his/her own individualized life in the community, including recreational, educational, vocational and other opportunities. We hope that virtually all activities will take place in integrated community settings, and that each individual will develop personal links with the community. Each home is staffed with a supervisor who works alongside several support workers and part time staff. A part-time Community Resource Developer assists supervisors and ...Read More