Later this year, six women in their early 20s through late 30s who have developmental disabilities will make the transition from their family homes into an Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) to be located on Morse Street in Dansville, NY. On June 20, five of these courageous women broke ground at the site of their future home. Among those who joined them for this symbolic step on their journey of independence were family members, Dansville Village Mayor William H. Dixon, and The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming staff and Board of Directors.

“I’m looking forward to getting out on my own for the first time,” says Miranda Snyder, 27, of Nunda, who has always lived at home with her mother, Myra. Miranda will move into her new home, which is located between Main Street and Franklin Street in the Village of Dansville, when it opens in the fourth quarter of 2007.

“This is kind of an amazing moment,” Myra explains. “It will definitely be different without Miranda at home, but as a mom, I am extremely proud to see her blossom on her own.”

Myra and Miranda were joined at the groundbreaking by family members of all of the future Morse Street residents. Also present with their families were Casey VanZandt , Kayla O'Brien, Lori Clark, and Karrie Deiter. Karrie’s sister, Kim Deiter, will also live in the IRA, but was unable to attend.

Their new home is being built by Lester Roberts Construction of Castile for The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming. The agency will operate the facility. Designed by SWBR Architects of Rochester, the Morse Street IRA will be a handicap-accessible, ranch-style home designed to allow individuals of all ages, abilities, and disabilities to experience the independence and growth that comes along with being a contributing member of a household. Funding is provided through “New York State - Creating Alternatives in Residential Environments and Services” (NYS-CARES).

The Morse Street residence will be the 14th Arc of Livingston-Wyoming IRA to provide safe, supervised housing for people with disabilities in a community-based setting within the two-county region. It is the second Arc of Livingston-Wyoming IRA in the Village of Dansville. Other area locations include Avon, Mt. Morris, Perry, Warsaw, and Geneseo, where the agency opened its first residence more than 30 years ago. Another IRA similar to the Morse Street home is currently under construction in the hamlet of Lakeville, in the northeast corner of Livonia.

For additional information, contact The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming Public Relations Director Jeff Thomas at jthomas@lwarc.org or (585) 658-2828 ext. 128.