Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.
Diana happily gives a tour of her room at Halom House
Submitted by Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Diana’s room is all pink. It’s her favorite color. A pink cowboy hat sits neatly on her chair. She loves to laugh and get her nails painted. She loves to play games and spend time with her niece. But most of all, she loves the people who surround her at Halom House.
“I love it here,” she exclaimed, while giving a tour of her room. She is happily settled in now, after moving in about six months ago, one of 20 individuals who live in either the group home in Blue Ash, or at several supported living houses nearby.
Diana loves exploring the group home where she lives and chatting with the staff and her neighbors wherever she finds them. Until now, she — and many others — could only do that on one level of the home. Diana has some newfound freedom.
For 40 years, Halom House has been a place of belonging, care and opportunity for adults with developmental disabilities. It began in 1983, with a group of parents of children with disabilities who wanted to give them independence and support, while being inclusive of their Jewish heritage. The first home opened in 1985 and, thanks to donations and support from The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, their current home was purchased and remodeled in 2007. Dream House Homes followed that same year, as a way to provide affordable supported living houses to individuals and their families.
Executive Director Amy Fischer explained that every new project starts with asking how to enhance the lives of the people they help. “It’s all about bridging that gap of educating people and having them live like you and I. We really want to interact and have meaningful relationships with people in the community.”
A few years ago, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati was able to help with that goal, thanks to a grant for an eight-passenger transit van that accommodates two wheelchairs. That means more people can go more places outside of their normal, daily routine. Fischer next turned to improving mobility inside the group home.
“It’s been a dream of mine for many, many years to be a truly American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant building,” she said. That meant installing an elevator, one that accommodates people of all needs, to transport them between the basement and first level of the group home.
“I partnered with the Federation, and with the great help of Danielle Minson, we were able to locate a donor in the greater Jewish community that fell in love with our mission and what we stood for. And we raised money for a wonderful new elevator in the building.”
“For should they fall, one can lift the other.” – Kohelet 4:10 is engraved on a plaque, just below the names of Pamela and Bernard Barbash. Without the Federation introducing the Barbash’s to Halom House, Fischer said she doesn’t know how the project would have ever happened. “They wanted to make an impact in the community, and they wanted to make a meaningful donation to a meaningful project, and what better project?”
Fischer is in the middle of another initiative, a community garden funded by a grant from the Federation. “We have formed a gardening committee and really strategized about the type of garden we want,” Fischer explained. “It incorporates vegetables and flowers and will also have walkways between raised beds for wheelchairs and walkers.” Fischer envisions the garden as learning opportunity about nutrition and a spot for individuals to get hands-on with nature.
For Diana, the garden is a space of joy. “She loves bright colors,” Fischer said. “She’s going to be drawn to the flowers, and I think she’ll love planting them. She’s got such a fun, sunny personality — it just fits her.”
Halom House has long been a place where individuals with developmental disabilities can live with dignity and joy, and with the right resources, its impact can be even greater.
Through projects like the elevator installation and the community garden, Halom House is not just a place to live — it’s a place to thrive. “We really can’t say enough about the Federation and their partnership with Halom House,” Fischer said. “I think they’re very supportive of our mission and just the longevity and sustainability of Halom House.”
