When Shoreline resident Cori Nelson makes a trip to the grocery store, she is in the company of a Banchero Friends Services independent living advocate.
Nelson, along with the 23 other residents who utilize the services of the Shoreline-based Banchero Friends Services, receives assistance from the organization that works to empower adults with developmental disabilities.
“They help me learn how to get my life on the road,” Nelson, 22, said. “I was mad at everyone. They helped me through my anger and depression and helped me understand it. They understood some of the stuff I was going through.”
Banchero Friends Services is certified as a supportive living agency through the state’s Division of Developmental Disabilities. Clients receive varying levels of care from Banchero Friends Services staff members. Care includes home support such as assistance with cooking and taking medication or case management support defined as help with social security benefits or receiving food stamps, among other things.
“We also set up medical appointments and Access rides for them and we have other clients who set up their own appointments,” Lisa Lou Gogal, an independent living advocate with Banchero Friends Services said.
Some clients go visit their families on weekends and others maintain steady jobs, according to Gogal. Many participate in activities through the agency, Seattle Parks and Recreation or Shoreline Parks and Recreation departments.
During a recent shopping trip, Nelson purchased supplies to make political signs in Spanish and Swahili in preparation for a conference in Olympia with Banchero’s Voices in Action program.
After the shopping trip with Nelson, Gogal stopped by client Martha Hinojosa’s residence to cook her dinner. Hinojosa, 39, competes in the Special Olympics and won three gold medals in swimming during the summer.
“She’s my favorite cook,” Hinojosa said.
Executive director CaraLee Cook is appreciative of Banchero Friends Services staff members.
“They’re all very qualified,” she said. “(Direct care staff members) are the life of the mission and the conduit of the services, and they’re also a resource to us—they know everything about the client so we can be very collaborative.”
The agency’s main office is located in an apartment complex where several residents also reside. Cook said the overall coordination of staff members and proximity are reasons for working from the location. But annual events such as a food and wine pairing party, a picnic, a holiday party and an auction take place in several different locations throughout the year and often include clients, staff and community members.
“Part of what we’re doing is community education, advocating for our clients to have the same privileges and rights as everybody else,” Alex Fuehrer, program manager said.
The auction, scheduled for March 29, is one way for community members to donate to Banchero Friends Services, according to Cook. Individuals may also donate their time by becoming a companion to a client.
This year’s Banchero Friends Services Holiday Party will be at the Masonic Temple Richmond Highlands on Dec. 18 at North 185th and Linden Avenue North in Shoreline. Please e-mail banchero@banchero.org to be added to the list of attendees.
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