Southwinds' mission is to provide residences for developmentally challenged persons in the community, while enhancing their quality of life and offering opportunities for specialized programs, social involvement, and independence. Our focus continues to be breaking down the isolation and segregation experienced by the developmentally challenged, by providing them with extensive services that promote their independence, dignity and equality.
We Enhance Quality of Life
- Southwinds' 52 individuals live very normal lives. They reside in 14 beautifully maintained homes.
- Each person has their own bedroom and space to keep their belongings.
- They live with 2-3 roommates, which provide a sense of companionship and family.
Specialized Programs and Independence
- Each client has an individualized goal for personalized growth. These goals are often met and exceeded at Southwinds, to the credit of our determined individuals and the staff who work hard to hep them reach these goals.
- Some of our individuals go to day programs; others hold jobs in the community, such as Pizza Hut and The Rivers Club. Some of our seniors attend activities at the local senior centers. They earn wages, and they are able to spend their earnings however they'd like.
- Southwinds residents help with daily household chores and often do their own laundry.
- Some of our individuals are on "home alone goals" where they can be left at home unsupervised for a few hours at a time. Also, one indivdual takes public transportation to and from work everyday.
Social Involvement
- Our homes are mixed into the neighborhoods of the South Hills. Individuals interact daily with neighbors and friends in the community. They participate in activities that enrich the community, such as the Annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast or the Barbecue Dinner. They also participate in the PEP (People Enjoying People) Program.
- Southwinds residents are often traveling and attending in sporting events. It is not unusual for clients to go to a Pirates game, a Penguins game, Disney World, or Sea World. Our staff will sometimes include our residents on their own vacations; they have gone camping, to a NASCAR race, or even to the beach.