Our Stories

Brandy has been living at her group home for many years and gets to share time with her sister, who lives in the same group home. 

She loves spending time outside listening to sounds around her and gets to explore when she takes outings to Presque Isle. 

On most days Brandy is smiling, shaking a rattle, and loving life while listening to music or baking cookies.  On other days, she enjoys floor time to stretch out and move freely with stimulating lights, sounds, and objects around her. 

Spending time with Brandy always brings joy, with her great smile and incredible curiosity for things around her.

(Thanks to Nayna, Brandy's Residential Manager, for this bio!)

Seth is a 21-year-old who lives in one of our homes in Erie.  He was born with an anoxic brain injury due to a stroke in utero.  Terri, his mom, adopted him at the age of 6.

Seth is non-verbal.  He loves The Wiggles and interacting with our employees.  Seth does not like anyone in his personal space until he gets to know you.  However, when he is comfortable with you he will lean towards you so that your forehead and his touch -  his way of showing you love!

His laugh is very contagious.  When he starts to laugh you can not help but to laugh with him.  He loves what he loves and dislikes what he doesn’t, and no matter how hard you try, he will not do anything he doesn’t want to!

He loves to look around and see who is around him and loves to hear what is going on and will respond accordingly.  We understand through his facial expressions and body language what he needs or wants.

He is excited to participate in our MOVE day program.  He loves going on outings and enjoys various activities with staff and housemates.  Seth is a Steelers fan and watches them whenever they play.  He looks forward to his weekly visit from his parents!

(Thank you to Chastity, the Residential Manager at Seth's home, for providing all of these wonderful details!)

Leroy is 87 years old and has been with EHCA since 2019. 

Everyone who meets Leroy absolutely loves him. He has so many friends in the community that consider him family. He touches the hearts of everyone he meets.

Leroy is very close to several well-known people in Erie including Larry Serafin (Serafin's Food Market) and Dr. Clark (president of St. Vincent Health Services). They both came to his birthday party this past year. 

Leroy retired from Red Lobster in 1999.  Then, he began working/volunteering at St. Vincent until 2022.  Now he attends our MOVE Program two days a week.

Leroy's likes include:

• volunteering
• attending church
• going out to eat
• shopping
• football (Cleveland Browns)
• basketball, baseball
• group activities and large events
• taking walks, dancing (especially to Polka music)
• dinner with old friends
• listening to music

He absolutely loves being an advocate for himself and others.

His dislikes include being told what to do, being sick, lights disturbing his sleep, staying home/not getting out a lot, spicy foods, and boredom.

Fun facts about Leroy include that he has a personal autographed photo of Elvis, and that he’s been to France twice!   His church includes him in lots of Saturday events.  He receives so many cards around holidays, birthdays, and "just because" from different people including priests and nuns that he knows. They also come to visit him at home.

(Thank you to Cheyenne, Leroy's Residential Manager, for these fantastic details!)

Ashley is one of the most loving, caring, and welcoming individuals.  Whether at home, at MOVE (our day program), or in the community, she is welcoming and accepting of everyone. 

One word to describe Ashley?  Helper

Ashley loves to help with housework, office work, caring for housemates, and cracking eggs with her nana at home.  If she sees a need with a housemate, she will try to help.  She loves to help clean her room, wash dishes, organize the fridge, fold laundry, and dust. 

She loves to help wipe someone’s face, pick up a mirror or rattle, or assist in activities.  She loves to sing Happy Birthday and to help her friends open their gifts. 

She also helps Debra (MOVE Director) and Nayna (Program Specialist at Ashley's home) with office work. 

A day in the life….

Ashley is busy from when her feet hit the floor in the morning until she lays her head on the pillow at night.   She likes to be involved.  She is always alert and watching her surroundings.  She attends MOVE, where she gets to go into the community to volunteer and go on fun outings with her friends.  Then she comes home to do activities, go on an outing with housemates, or sit to read a book or watch Barney videos.  She spends Sundays and holidays with her parents and family.

Ashley's Favorite Things

- Coffee or Soda
- Cheetos/PB & J
- Blankets
- Baseball Games
- Her Family
- Pictures (taking or looking)
- Helping Others

(Thank you, Nayna, for helping us get to know Ashley!

   Andrea, or Andi, is a sweet girl who is kind to others and enjoys being helpful.  Andi is pleasant and happy most all days. She has a very bubbly and upbeat demeanor.  Andi likes to give hugs and can put a smile on most anyone’s face when she walks into a room. 

   Andi loves country music and currently enjoys Alexandra Kay, who is a new country music artist.  She frequently attends concerts with friends and family. Andi is a fan of football and her favorite team is the Cleveland Browns.  Andi has close relationships with her family and friends and they are all very important to her.  Andi recently found employment at BNI and will be starting her new job 2 times/ week in their cleaning/janitorial department.

   Andi enjoys swimming, bowling, shopping, basketball, and going to amusement parks, specifically Waldameer in the summer.   While with the Options program, Andi enjoys being with her preferred staff who she has worked with for a long period of time. However, she doesn’t pass up on the opportunity to meet new people and work with others. Her and her staff start their days the same by getting coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, which is Andi’s favorite. They plan their days full of differing activities!

   They spend as much time outdoors as they can when the weather is nice by going to Waldameer, having picnics in the park, picking fruit from local farms, going to Port Farms, and visiting the local zoo and neighboring area petting zoos. 

   When the weather isn’t as pleasant, Andi and her staff work hard to stay busy and enjoy their days by bowling with friends and shopping at the mall for herself and others.  Recently, they have begun organizing, participating in, and helping out with different crafts. They will plan for a craft, find the supplies, and set a date, time, and location.  They open this up to anyone who would be interested - friends, peers, etc. Andi is very helpful when they do these activities; she assists in demonstrations and gathering supplies as well as setting up, cleaning up, and more.

   The Options program allows Andi to meet new people, try new activities, and fill her days with friends and fun.

 Big thanks to Madison, one of our Options Program Specialists, for all of these details.

   LC has lived with Mary since February 2002.  They live on a nice country property in Wattsburg. 

   LC enjoys music and singing.  He also has a keyboard and a drum box that he enjoys making music on (you can watch a short video of him playing the keyboard here!). 

   He enjoys going to sporting events, fishing, and other outdoor adventures with his friend, Chuck, who retired from EHCA last year.  He also enjoys cooking and crafting, as evidenced by the delicious baked goods pictured here.

   He worked at Wendy’s pre-COVID, but has decided not to return to the workforce now.  He enjoys going out with our Options program once per week.  He also enjoys popping by our main administrative offices occasionally to visit with our staff, and he is a delight to be around. 

   LC considers Mary and her family, his family.  He calls her mom and refers to others as his sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews.  When Mary can no longer care for LC, he will remain with her family, as her daughter will become his caregiver.  This family has truly become his family.