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Mary 01-17
Shelley 01-23
Ann 04-16
Matthew 04-18
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Testimonials
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 May
13, 2007
Hi Ann I just wanted to
wish you a very happy Mother's Day and I want to thank you
for all of the good things you have done for me and for
everyone who you have helped. May you have the strength to
keep helping kids in need. As it has been said "You may not
be able to save all kids but to the ones you can save you
make a difference." I want you to know that you have made a
huge difference in my life!
Love, Jennifer Pimentel
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April 2, 2007
Dear Jim and Ann,
My heart is so full today
as I watched Jay wheeling down into the terminal this
morning with Chris lugging the bags behind... I cried. This
is such a wonderful milestone days in Jay's life. I feel we
are so blessed to have you both in our lives.
Thank you so very much for
all that you are doing to help Jay launch into his life. He
is so delighted with his days~every day. This Las Vegas
adventure with all "the men" is so perfect for Jay...and
Chris too. I think Chris was a bit more excited than Jay,
if that's possible.
Happy Easter to all the
Silcock gang and Thank You so much for Jay's wonderful
trip. I'd love to be a fly on the wall to see Jay's eyes as
he takes in the plane ride, the lights, the sights and
sounds of the whole experience.
Love, Jill
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April 1, 2007
My brother
Tommy is the happiest he has ever been in his life. He has
lived in group homes, nursing homes and other large
facilities. During that time he often had severe behavior
problems and multiple medical problems.. Tom has been
participating with the First Step Supported Living program
for ten years. He has had the same support staff the entire
time. Although in his sixties, Tom is in excellent health.
Tom is now content and loving because he is getting such
good care in his supported living arrangement. My brother
and I sincerely want to thank his circle of caregivers. You
are amazing! My brother is free from the physical pain he
has suffered from most of his life. Tommy is very relaxed
most of the time. My brother has never been so well cared
for in his life. His brain function is still sharp. He can
sing songs with me and remembers things that happened to he
and I in the past. Jim, Ann, Michele and Jackie have worked
wonders with Tom. During the weekdays, Tommy attends a day
program. On the weekends he is with his roommate or his
friends in supported living. He loves going to the movies
and dances. Tom also enjoys gardening, shopping, bowling,
and attending birthday parties. Tommy and I also get
together frequently using public transportation or
transportation provided by First Step Supported Living
Services. Supported living services allows Tommy the freedom
to participate in the activities he enjoys most. I
sincerely want to thank all concerned for Tommy and myself.
Sincerely,
Sharon Kay Webb Vaughn
Tom's sister and conservator
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March 2007
My name is Josefa
Noyola and my son, Jose, has been a participant in the First
Step Supported Living Program since 2001. My son has severe
cerebral palsy and is unable to walk, talk, or feed
himself. He uses a wheelchair and must be pushed by
others. I am very happy with this program. Jose gets to
experience bachelorhood and is living a normal life in the
community. Jose is well taken care of on a daily basis. My
son has many medical needs and this agency's staff have been
there through the difficult times. Despite the fact that my
son has a g-tube and a tracheostomy, Jose gets to socialize
with friends and participate in many social and recreational
activities. In this supported living program my son not
only gets physical care but also gets emotional support from
his staff, his friends in the program, and Ann Belles and
Jim Silcock, the program administrators. Its nice that my
son's circle of support doesn't only include his family. My
son would never have these opportunities if he were living
at home or living in a nursing home.
Sincerely,
Josefa Noyola
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"I just wanted to write
this letter to express my most sincere Thank to First Step
for all the work they have done for me. I have been with
First Step for six years and I can honestly say that it has
been the best thing that has happened to me. I can say this
because they have given me a life that I would not have had
if I was still with my parents. One of the best things they
have done for me is show me that their are other people that
are disabled, and that despite being disabled you can still
get what you want in life if you put your mind to it. The
program has also given me a chance to make friends that I
will have for a life time it is like being part of a family.
In the time I have been in the program I have had a chance
to grow as a person. I have been placed with roommate that
has shown me how to take control of my own life and how to
be strong when things do not work out as planned . Before
this program came into my life I was in a very deep
depression, I can still remember laying in my bed at my dads
house and crying myself to sleep almost every night, because
my dad would tell me that I would never be able to live in
my own place. When I moved out it was against my dads advice
but because I am an adult and can make my own choices I did
it anyway. At first my dad was very mad at me, but over time
he and I have gotten closer then we ever were before. I just
want to thank First Step and all its staff for the huge
difference that you have made in my life, and I hope to keep
being in the program for years to come."
Thanks again
Jennifer Pimentel
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"I like being in Supportive Living because I get to be with a
lot of friends. I feel like an adult because I have a lot of
choices."
Chris Silcock |
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