Many Young People Don’t Have Options for Independence and Building Life Skills; Treasure House Provides Environment Where Young Adults Can Grow and Thrive
It’s high school graduation season, which is an exciting time for young adults about to step out into the real world.
But for young adults with developmental disabilities and their families, that excitement can be tempered by a fear of what’s next. The end of high school also means the end of support services that public schools provide, often leaving families with a difficult dilemma — what can we do to continue our young adult’s growth when they may not be equipped to live completely on their own?
Fortunately, adults with developmental disabilities have options — including facilities such as Treasure House. Treasure House is a supportive living community for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A strong emphasis on independence, respect, and community integration provides an optimal environment for residents to live, work, and enjoy recreational activities while being part of a larger family.
Lauri Tanner, CEO of Treasure House, said that the end of high school is a key milestone for many families and figuring out what to do moving forward to support young adults with cognitive disabilities can be difficult.
“Too often young adults are forced to simply live at home with their parents, who may not have the bandwidth or resources to focus on their continued growth and development,” Tanner said. “Our goal at Treasure House is to provide an opportunity for these young adults, once they are done with their academic careers, to continue to learn and develop life skills and independence.”
Founded by Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda, Treasure House is the first and only Arizona living community applying this unique individualized approach blending support for independence with community building. Each resident has their own studio apartment and enjoys a community family room, game room, patio, recreation area, and family-style kitchen.
Treasure House’s programming allows residents to cultivate independence by providing employment opportunities, social interaction, health and wellness support and life skills. Residents also enjoy a robust calendar of events that includes fitness, volunteering, community events, music, theater, arts, game nights, sports opportunities, and pursuit of individual hobbies and interests.
“Treasure House is already showing that these young people can achieve more than anyone dreamed possible with the right kind of support system in place,” Tanner said. “We encourage parents who are trying to figure out the best path forward for their young adult to contact us and see if Treasure House is the right fit for their future.”
Treasure House specializes in developing individualized strategies and supports for young adults with cognitive disabilities with emphasis and expertise in the areas of learning, memory, concentration and decision-making. The residence serves individuals in their 20s and 30s who no longer receive federally mandated educational services and who want to build productive, meaningful and connected lives. The house seeks to maintain a capacity of 29 residents and will be accepting applications for admissions enrolling new residents on an ongoing basis.
