Community of caring
Olivia Roberts, 26, of Rogersville, receives some help making a shamrock from her aide, Victoria Stewart, during an arts and crafts activity at 2nd Sam 9 in Waynesburg.
Carol Young of Waynesburg, a parent volunteer and member of the 2nd Sam 9 board of directors, offers some guidance to one of the program participants, Annie Smith, 37, of Nemacolin.
Rachel Williamson, 30, of Waynesburg, concentrates while making a shamrock and listening to her iPod during an arts and crafts session at 2nd Sam 9 in Waynesburg.
Megan Young, 34, of Waynesburg, works on a project of her own during free-choice time at 2nd Sam 9 in Waynesburg.
Zach Davis, 19, of Wind Ridge plays with an iPad during free-choice time at 2nd Sam 9 in Waynesburg.
WAYNESBURG – Even though there are other day programs in Greene County for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Scott and Teresa Roberts of Rogersville didn’t think they were a good fit for their daughter.
So, they decided to start their own program.
And with the help of many from the Greene County community, they have been able to sustain it.
It’s called 2nd Sam 9, and on July 5, the nonprofit will celebrate its five-year anniversary of providing free, faith-based programs to help participants develop spiritually, emotionally and socially, plus gain independence through life-skills training.
The organization’s name is based on the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Sam 9:1-13 in the Old Testament, in which an individual with a disability was given a place of honor in the home of King David as an act of kindness.
“This is what God wants us to do,” Teresa said. “We were called to do it. But we couldn’t have done it alone.”
The organization relies on private monetary donations, corporate sponsors, fundraising and small grants, not to mention the many volunteers who donate their time entertaining, helping and teaching participants.
“People like what we do,” Scott said.
It’s also good for the Roberts’ daughter, Olivia, now 26, who, Scott said, thrives on routine and predictability, which 2nd Sam 9 offers through its daily scheduling.
Scott, who is a psychologist, and Teresa, a teacher in the West Greene School District, started to formulate a plan for 2nd Sam 9 when Olivia was about to age out of high school. Her vocabulary is extremely limited, with Scott comparing it to that of a toddler, and she has severe intellectual impairment. It wasn’t until just two years ago that she was diagnosed with GRIN1, an extremely rare genetic mutation that results in developmental delays. At the time, Olivia was only the third person in the world to be diagnosed with GRIN1.
Olivia also suffers from slow muscle tone and vision problems. “For her, it’s like looking through Swiss cheese,” her father said.
Scott and Teresa started small, holding monthly gatherings for three families whose children have developmental disabilities. After a few months, they learned that Waynesburg Greater Christian Outreach was moving, and they met with the owners of the building, Jim and Cathie Carpenter, seeking advice on how to start a nonprofit. The Carpenters offered to rent the building to Scott and Teresa.
Teresa said Community Builders of Greene County, a leadership program that provides training for people interested in volunteering their time and talents to support Greene County nonprofits, also was instrumental in getting 2nd Sam 9 off the ground. In fact, Teresa is a recent graduate of the program.
Second Sam 9 is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. three days a week, and averages between eight and 11 participants per day. Participants also must be able to be somewhat self-sufficient, because 2nd Sam 9 has just one part-time employee, program coordinator Bonnie Lohr of Mt. Morris.
“It’s a safe, healthy environment,” said Lohr, who receives assistance at the center from volunteers in the community, including Bonner Scholars from Waynesburg University. In addition, some participants, like Olivia, are accompanied by an aide.
Carol Young of Waynesburg, who is a member of 2nd Sam 9’s board of directors, accompanies her daughter, Megan, 34, to 2nd Sam 9 once a week. Megan has a seizure disorder and has attended 2nd Sam 9 since day one. She is accompanied by an aide the other two days. Carol likes the flexibility 2nd Sam 9 offers, and the fact Megan is developing friendships.
“She’s up, and she’s out,” Carol said. “This is nice. Everybody is very accepting.”
Chett Belding, 35, of Waynesburg, who suffered a traumatic brain injury while attending the Art Institute in Pittsburgh, is a special volunteer. He conducts painting classes for participants.
The daily schedule includes wake-up exercises, current events, praise and worship, Bible or life skills, lunch, an activity or craft, chores and free-choice time in which participants can choose to work independently or in groups on an activity, such as playing a color-coded keyboard, using iPads or doing puzzles. They don’t even balk at doing chores. In fact, Rachel Williamson, 30, of Waynesburg, was dancing to the music on her iPod while she vacuumed.
“We don’t want them to feel that there are any expectations for them to perform,” Teresa said. “Everybody here takes ownership of the program.”
Since attending 2nd Sam 9, Olivia has become more independent, and she’s eager to do more chores around the house. Participants also volunteer at the Corner Cupboard Food Bank in Waynesburg once a month, and they clean toys for a local church nursery.
“I want them to be out and about and not hidden,” Teresa said. “They’ve all got something to give.”
Rachel, for instance, is quite the artist. She said she loves to draw, and that was quite evident as she leafed through a thick notebook filled with pencil drawings that included a self-portrait, her grandfather’s farm and characters from an assortment of movies.
Scott and Teresa said they eventually would like to be open full time. But right now, it’s financially impossible. Their utilities, rent and other incidental expenses equal their revenue.
Their wish list also includes a van so participants can take field trips, and Lohr would like to have a laundry room and bedroom to expand the life-skills classes.
“It’s really been humbling to see,” Teresa said. “There’s lots of laughter. It’s like a little family. It’s a fun place to be.”
For more information, call 724-852-3063, or email 2ndSam9@windstream.net. To make a tax-deductible donation, send checks to: 2nd Sam 9 Inc., 290 W. High St., Waynesburg, PA 15370, or visit the nonprofit’s website, http://www.2ndsam9.org/.