Our Stories

    Ralph is 89 years old and lives in one of our East Erie community homes.  He resided at Polk Center in the 70’s and spent the first half of his life in an institution-style setting.  He received services through Barber National Institute, which helped him transition to one of our homes. 

   Ralph joined one of our older homes that was replaced during our last capital campaign, so he and his housemates moved to a brand-new, larger home in 2024!  This new home provides much more space for wheelchairs.  It allows Ralph to move more easily, and he gets to have his own bedroom.  This provides him with additional personal space in the event of loud noises, which he dislikes.  

   Ralph has always been very independent!  His mobility might not be what it used to be at age 89, but that doesn't stop him.  He loves to self-propel his wheelchair, which allows him to be mobile at home.  He also has the option of using his walker for extra movement. 

   Before coming to EHCA, Ralph volunteered for 10 years at the Erie City Mission until he was physically unable to.  This was a cause very near to his heart.  Now, with EHCA support, Ralph has been able to get back to where he left off.  Staff assist in getting Ralph back to the City Mission, where he will take inspirational cards, cookies, and socialize with his old friends.  Upon his return of volunteering, the Mission also included Ralph in their newsletter (see above)! This brought many memories and much happiness to him!

   Ralph is a very calm and quiet man.  He prefers to sit in the background and people-watch. However, over the last few years with EHCA, he has begun to slowly open up and engage more.  He has begun to socialize with birthday celebrations and holidays.  He enjoys going out for coffee (coffee is his #1 fav!).  He also has had the experience of going to places such as Round One Arcade, Erie Zoo, the Harley-Davidson store (he loves motorcycles!), out to restaurants, the sunflower field, Claytopia to paint a coffee mug, and he has watched the EHCA Victory Ride.  He has been bowling, even though we found out he would rather just watch people bowl.  We were all proud that he tried doing something new when the staff took him!

   Ralph is a simple man!  He prefers to just sit and relax.  His favorites are black coffee, PB & J sandwiches, and homemade hearty meals.  Ralph loves to color in his adult coloring books!  He also saves his work to look back at.  His favorite TV show is Walker Texas Ranger.  Ralph has recently found a new hobby of building metal models!  He recently finished a Batmobile with the staff's help, and now they are working on a motorcycle!

   Ralph dislikes the cold!  His staff still encourages him to stay active in the community when it's cold.   However, there are days he prefers to just stay home and work on his daily goals and activities or sleep.  Sleeping during the day is one of the things he enjoys most.  Ralph does not sleep regularly throughout the night.  However, having the support and supervision from EHCA, he can nap when he chooses in a safe environment.

   Ralph also enjoys 1:1 time with staff.  Once he becomes comfortable with a person and trusts them, he tends to open up more.  Over the last few years at EHCA, we have noticed this has increased with consistent staff.  Ralph is a well-loved individual here at EHCA.  We are very proud to be a special part of his life, making sure he has the best quality care, respect, and dignity he deserves.

     Bobby is 80 years old and resides in one of our Titusville community homes.  Bobby has the kindest soul and is almost always so happy and chipper.  He has such a wonderful belly laugh that will have you laughing with him.  He has a great sense of humor and loves to joke around with the staff.

    Bobby loves to greet anyone who walks through the door and will track you down if you don’t acknowledge him right away.  He is nonverbal but can say "yes" and "no" and loves to partake in conversation with everyone.

    He loves to go on outings, meet new people, and interact with the people he meets along the way.  Bobby loves the wildlife and is fortunate enough to have lots of it in his backyard.  He especially loves his birds and will sit by the window, bird watching for hours.  He will even make sure to get your attention quickly when he sees a squirrel eating out of the bird feeders.

    Bobby likes to video chat with his sister weekly, sometimes a couple times a week.  Though Bobby is tube-fed, he still very much loves to help in the kitchen.  He especially enjoys baking sweet treats for housemates and friends.

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!)

   Adam is somebody who truly lights up a room.  He will likely make you smile and laugh within thirty seconds of talking to him.  He is a very social and outgoing person, attending the Barber National Institute Mondays through Wednesdays, and then working with Club Erie on Thursdays and Fridays. 

   Adam lives in one of our West Erie homes.  He enjoys helping staff prepare meals, especially when dinner will be on the grill, cookout style.  You can often catch him in the evenings playing cards, watching movies, and going on walks with his staff – if he’s not already out in the community.
   
   He enjoys going to the card shop, going out for ice cream, and meeting up and spending time with his friends.  He also loves trying new things – recently, he tried karaoke and not only did he love it and want to do it again and again.  He shone at it.

   Adam is a fun-loving guy who makes it impossible to be in a bad mood for long when you’re in his presence!

  Luciano is somebody with such an infectious smile and sense of humor that many who work with him have said “he makes me smile so much that my face hurts!”

   On Mondays through Fridays, you can catch Lou working his job at Barber National Institute. Lou takes a lot of pride in the work that he does and always wants to ensure that he is doing a good job (and he always goes above and beyond).

   During the evenings, Lou loves to spend lots of time with his housemates. He loves to play card games, watch movies, cook meals, and sing karaoke. He is also working on a fairy garden for the summer and has been excited about getting new plants and figurines.

   Lou also loves to spend time with his brother and family, as well as taking weekend trips, such as his recent trip to the aquarium. Lou is one guy who is truly full of life and energy in all of the best ways!

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!