How Living Innovations is Helping Adults with Disabilities Lead Independent Lives

For John DiCenzo, the ‘magic’ of shared living comes from watching two men with disabilities thrive in a home filled with choice and community. For nearly four years, the Cranston resident has opened his doors to Javier Lozada and John Avery through Living Innovations, a nonprofit organization that specializes in shared living arrangements and matches individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities with caring home providers. “Every day I say, ‘I hope this program doesn’t end anytime soon,’” says DiCenzo, who has worked with and advocated for adults with special needs since 1990.

Dedicated to supporting individuals with diverse needs, Living Innovations is a service of Mosaic,  a Nebraska-based whole-person healthcare organization spanning 12 states. Their Rhode Island hub in Warwick includes a staff of 19 that supports more than 150 people living in homes throughout the state. “It’s a model that provides people with disabilities a great, safe, loving home to then live their best life,” says Rhode Island State Director Kim Einloth, adding that shared living is a highly personalized alternative to group or congregate living settings.

Growing evidence suggests that shared living support improves overall health and quality of life for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. While each person’s situation is unique, shared living can positively impact relationships with immediate family, increase opportunities – whether more activities or new experiences – and expand autonomy in decision-making.

“I think that choices are very important. One of the things I like about these two gentlemen is they advocate for themselves constantly,” says DiCenzo, noting that the trio keeps busy – regularly visiting the YMCA, volunteering, going to a nearby mall, or heading to church on Sundays. In shared living, notes Einloth, individuals become active members of their households and communities.

For home provider Robert Studley, this means balancing fun with responsibility. Studley started caring for his brother, Micah Sukenik, after their mother’s house caught fire and Sukenik was displaced. More recently, the duo welcomed John Vigue into their home. From activities like bowling and working out to holding at-home movie nights and playing with the dogs at home, everyone has their own cleaning tasks. To foster independence, Studley is also teaching Sukenik and Vigue how to cook. “The way we’re teaching them is, whatever you want to eat, we’ll go get the ingredients to make that. I’ll help you, but that’s what you’re cooking,” Studley says.

Home providers like DiCenzo and Studley are contractors and are paid daily stipends, which vary depending on a person’s need for support. Additionally, each program participant has a coordinator assigned to them who visits once a month to ensure everything is going well.

Einloth, who joined the organization nearly a year ago, notes that Living Innovations has a heavy concentration of home providers in the northern part of the state and hopes to develop more in the South County and East Bay areas. While she looks toward future growth, she’s finding fulfillment in the impact being made today.

“The most rewarding part of this job is seeing people come into their own and living the life they choose and experiencing joy and the things that bring everyday satisfaction,” Einloth says. Learn more at LivingInnovations.com.