Guiding light

Developmentally disabled adults find independent, fulfilling lives at Christian group home in Somers

Petie, a miniature Hereford bull, was a proud parent to three calves born recently at Lighthouse Christian Home on North Somers Road.

"He takes care of business," Shirley Willis, program manager, said with a laugh. "We had three calves just boom, boom, boom."

Those calves - Olive, George Michael and Earl - were an instant hit with the 12 adults who call the Lighthouse home. They represent the bounty of hard work put into feeding, watering and nurturing the small herd.

Developmental disabilities don't keep the four men and eight women who live at the Lighthouse from tending cattle, mending fences, caring for chickens, gardening, pruning, cooking, cleaning and other activities.

With assistance from the staff, the residents at the farm-based Christian group home live independently with choice and control over their lives. Willis said the employees consider the residents their employers.

It's part of a reorganization launched in 2004 when the home switched from live-in home management to shifts of employees covering 24 hours a day. The new model allowed the Lighthouse to expand from 8 to 12 residents.

Willis came on board three years ago to manage the new approach. She brought more than 20 years of experience serving people with disabilities as well a farm background to help fulfill the home's mission.

"We try to be self-sufficient - that's the point of being farm-based," she said. "Because we're Christian-based, we do that intentionally for the glory of God."

Willis worked previously for secular organizations. But she said this was the first position where she found the work easy and "right."

"I can use morals, responsibility and prayers," she said. "That makes a huge difference."

Jim Beranek, development coordinator, agreed. Retired from a career in the public schools, he took on the challenge of expanding the support base for the Lighthouse in December.

"What a difference it makes when you work on problems that way," he said. "It's amazing to see how these kids work things out."

Willis writes behavior programs designed to teach residents to deal with behavior issues like frustration and anxiety. Willis said every staff member uses the same techniques.

"We use positive reinforcement to promote positive behavior," she said. "Positive reinforcement works. That's kind of standard in this population."

Each resident has three goals to develop personal skills. As an example, she said Sara Maldonado's goal was to offer to help with the toddlers at church each Sunday.

At first, she became frustrated when no help was needed. But she learned to deal with the disappointment.

Her patience paid off.

"I helped last Sunday," she said with a smile.

Maldonado proudly displayed her Bigfork volunteer firefighter's shirt. She explained that she helps out at the station with cleaning.

"Individuals with disabilities have ways to give back," Willis said.

All the residents do community service work such as helping at the food bank, working with the United Way's Neighbors In Need program and ringing bells at Christmas-time for the Salvation Army.

Willis said they became well-known in the community for their work as "Prayer Warriors," providing prayers for healing, safe travel, financial dilemmas and other requests.

"Their prayers are so pure and uninhibited, they produce results," she said with a smile. "Their hearts are so huge."

Beranek and Willis encourage people to visit the Lighthouse Christian Home. She said it's difficult to explain the passion they have for working for people with developmental disabilities.

"Once you're here, you understand," she said.

Once volunteers come, they usually keep coming. Willis said a student from Flathead Valley Community College finished up her 15 hours of service work required by a course but just kept on volunteering.

As Willis led a tour Thursday morning, the residents were busy performing chores tied to personal life-skill goals. One baked bread and another washed dishes, while others worked on their exercise programs.

Willis and the other staff keep the farm functioning with schedules of activities mapped out for each day.

"We have a devotional in the morning," she said. "We all pray. That's the best way to start the day."

The staff prepares three sit-down meals for 14 people each and every day. Willis said that preparing food and eating together bonds the residents.

"Being a family setting, that's when we talk," she said. "Everyone has responsibilities and chores. We go through them at breakfast."

Operating without governmental assistance, the Lighthouse depends on support from churches, fund-raising events and private donations. The Christian Center serves as their home church but many others contribute.

Willis said the home charges families or guardians around one-fifth of the actual cost of care. While finances have improved over the last two years, Beranek and Willis hope to develop a support base to cover expenses so benefits like a swing dance and fall festival go to a reserve fund.

Lighthouse Christian Home has faced down large obstacles since the organization's founding as a ministry for the developmentally disabled in 1980.

It began with the donation of 40 acres of land from Lowell Bartels through the Farm-in-the-Dell program in Helena. With just $3,000, Peter and Denise Pelchen managed to break ground for the home in 1994.

Over the next four years, a beautiful 8,000-square-foot home rose on the donated land through gifts of cash and materials and volunteer blitz-building efforts and weekend work. It includes a spacious kitchen, living room and eight bedrooms upstairs.

Downstairs includes an apartment with four bedrooms and a large activity area where residents relax, exercise and perform piecework labeling bags for Montana Coffee Traders.

"It's their paid job that everybody does three times a week," Willis said.

On payday, the residents cash their checks at the bank then go shopping to buy whatever they want.

Weekly schedules also include less-popular activities such as major cleaning on Wednesday and the dreaded "weigh-in" on Thursday. Resident Amie Bartell joked that she knew that scale was wrong as her turn approached last week.

Health ranks high on Willis' management concerns.

"Nutrition is huge - it's mandatory," Willis said. "It's a top priority with guardians and families."

Family members of the residents stay involved. During the tour, Willis pointed to bedrooms freshly painted and decorated by parents, grandparents or other loved ones. They also donate items that make life easier or more fun at the home such as a television and a VCR.

Recently, the Columbia Falls Eagles adopted the home as its community service project for the year. As a result, the residents will receive complete sets of Special Olympics uniforms.

The residents were ecstatic when they heard they would have uniforms for the next games instead of just T-shirts.

"That's something we would not be able to do," Willis said.

Items still on the wish list include an industrial blender, a large industrial crock pot, six therapy balls, a three-wheeled bike, industrial potato peeler, paring knife, glass measuring cups, a new large frying pan (for 10), kitchen scissors, a globe, calendars, fans with stands, simple cookbooks and plastic drawer dividers.

Beranek described the items as not urgent but "things that make life here easier." They also welcome new volunteers.

People interested in a tour of the home or a presentation should call Willis or Beranek at 857-3276. Both said they have seen visitors moved by the experience of interacting with the residents of Lighthouse Christian Home.

Beranek said they have a spirit about them that he wished everyone could emulate.

"It's unconditional love," he said with a smile. "If we could all pick up on that, what a place this world could be."

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.