Personal Successes
At Ability Housing the goal is to create long term, viable solutions for our residents. These extraordinary stories are a few examples of our success in meeting that goal.
Betsy Zahn, SPECIAL OLYMPIC CHAMPION & CASA RESIDENT
Like any parents Max Zahn and Kit Thomas wanted all their children to grow up to be responsible, independent adults. But they were especially concerned about their daughter Betsy. Betsy is developmentally disabled and while there are other siblings in the family, Max and Kit wanted to make sure that Betsy could live independently after they were gone.
Betsy is a very social and physically active person .She is involved with Special Olympics, bringing home two medals from last year’s National Special Olympics. She also swims for a Jacksonville team, the First Coast Dolphins Swim Team.
When Betsy moved to Jacksonville following completion of a special high school program in Birmingham, Max remembered sitting through a Rotary presentation about support services for the developmentally disabled. That led to Betsy renting an Ability Housing home with two other roommates. She walks or rides her bike to work at Publix and has a great circle of friends.
“As a parent I’m thrilled that my child gets to live an independent life so that when we are gone she will know how to live,” said Max.
Jan & Wesley, FORMERLY HOMELESS RESIDENTS, FEELING BETTER THANKS TO ABILITY HOUSING
Imagine facing a life-threatening disease while not having a home. In addition to not feeling well, you might have to battle the elements when sleeping outside or not have a place where a doctor can get in touch with you regarding your treatment.
That’s what Jan and Wesley were facing until about a year ago. Jan is now feeling much better and very happy to be living in a house provided by Ability Housing.
Rosemary Steed, MAYFAIR VILLAGE RESIDENT & FORMERLY HOMELESS RESIDENT
Rosemary is a rarity – a Jacksonville native, born and raised. She worked hard all her life, raised a family, and one day found herself living under a bridge in her own hometown.
Rosemary Steed grew up on Jacksonville’s Westside, in the Westconnet area. She remembers her family life as pretty normal. Her father served in the Army and worked as an engineer after his discharge. Her mother was a housewife. After graduating from Forrest High School in 1974, she moved to Texas and began work in the insurance industry. While in Texas, she married and had a child, Dustin, in 1978.