A Home of My Own nonprofit created by Johnson City parents helping son live independently
Paul and Mary Ann Egan of Johnson City know what it’s like for a parent of a special needs child to worry about what to do when the parent can no longer care for them.
That’s why the couple founded a nonprofit organization, A Home of My Own, to help people with developmental disabilities live independently with support from staff. Developmental disabilities include conditions such as autism, intellectual disability and cerebral palsy.
“We were looking for a way to ensure that Ryan was going to be able to be taken care of when we no were no longer able to,” Paul Egan said of the couple’s son, Ryan. “We also felt like if we knew how to take care of Ryan, we could help other folks do the same thing.”
Ryan Egan, now 31, was born with developmental delays and cerebral palsy.
“He needs 24/7 support,” his father said.
Ryan Egan was the inspiration for A Home of My Own and lives with two roommates in the organization’s first home located in Endwell. The house opened in 2019, Paul Egan said.
Ryan Egan and his two roommates each have a lease which includes their own bedroom plus shared spaces including a kitchen, bathrooms and living room. Funding comes from the New York State Self-Directed Services program and either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability (SSD).
The self-directed services program provides a subsidy to help pay rent and other living expenses. One person wouldn’t have a big enough self-directed budget to fund their own home but when two or three people live together, they can afford it, Paul Egan said.
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A Home of My Own pays for a house manager and self-directed services funds community habilitation workers who take care of individuals at home and take them out into the community every day. Staff is present 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Ryan Egan and his roommates are out and about in the community every day with their community habilitation workers, his mother said.
“They get to do the things they like to do,” Mary Ann Egan said of Ryan Egan and his roommates. “The parents and guardians have a say in their day-to-day needs.”
All three individuals get food stamps but A Home of Their Own provides other supplies not covered by food stamps such as paper towels, toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Donations are always welcome, Mary Ann Egan said.
The couple is looking for more houses to turn into homes for people with developmental disabilities.
“We look for families who might be able to provide a house,” Paul Egan said. “We can help them set the house up. We can help find roommates.”
A Home of My Own isn’t big enough yet to be able to buy its own house. But Paul Egan said he hopes A Home of My Own will continue to grow so it can help more people with developmental disabilities find their own homes through the program.
“Our goal is to open more houses,” he said. “It’s a question of building ourselves up to a place where the organization can sustain itself.”
More about Mary Ann and Paul Egan
Home: Johnson City
Hometown: She grew up in Johnson City. He’s originally from New Jersey.
Career: He is retired from IBM. She has a part-time floral business.
Family: Son, Ryan, 31.
How to Help: A Home of My Own welcomes donations of paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning products and other items not covered under food stamps as well as monetary donations and volunteers. To learn more, go to Homes For Special Needs Adults - Binghamton, NY | A Home Of My Own (ahomeofmyownny.org)
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Johnson City parents found A Home of My Own nonprofit: How it works
