When Dylan moved into Treasure House, he did so because he knew it would be good for him to open up more and get a better sense of what life was like on his own. Now, he has his own one-bedroom apartment, steady employment and a wide network of friends and colleagues he knows will continue to be a part of his life long after he leaves Treasure House behind.

“I love it – I absolutely love it,” he said, of his experience inside the community home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “The people are great; the atmosphere is great – I absolutely love it.”

While Dylan gets to enjoy his privacy and increase his independence by living in his own apartment on Treasure House grounds, he and all residents also have access to ‘round-the-clock assistance, should the need ever arise. He also has a job as a transporter at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, where he helps move patients to surgery, treatment or wherever else they need to go. Before Treasure House, Dylan had not yet lived on his own, but he’s found the transition to be a smooth and rewarding one.

“It’s freeing,” he said, of his experience as a resident. “You don’t have to have mom breathing down your neck all the time.” He smiled, suggesting he was (at least partially) joking.