Lifesharing
Making A Difference Everyday!
Lifesharing is a residential program that enables individuals with developmental disabilities to live in a family home environment, share life experiences and pursue opportunities with supportive people. Individuals are empowered to live to their fullest potential by becoming active, participating members within their Lifesharing family and the communities they reside. Lifesharing allows for individuals with disabilities to live where they want, with whom they want, and live the lifestyle they desire.
C.A.R.E.S. provides the opportunity for Lifesharing Providers to open their home, heart, and life to mentor an individual with a developmental disability. This mutually rewarding experience is a great opportunity for caring and compassionate people who wish to help an individual with a disability develop in his or her areas of interest and address his or her needs and desires. Lifesharing Providers make a difference everyday through providing support, guidance, security, and love to individuals with a developmental disability.
At C.A.R.E.S., we believe in long-term relationships and emphasize the importance of natural supports, individuality, respect, choice, being a part of the community and living an Every Day Life.
Lifesharing is not just a program, it is a movement!
Want to learn more about Lifesharing? Check out our commercials and news features below!
Lifesharing Families – Lifesharing families are made of people of all ages, genders, races, sexual preferences, nationalities, and religions. Each family differs in construct and there is no “right” family construct for Lifesharing, as each of our individuals are unique and looking for different qualities. (i.e. Nuclear families, single parents, single individuals, unmarried couples, etc.)
Support – A dedicated C.A.R.E.S. Lifesharing Coordinator is assigned to each VIP and Provider(s). In many cases, family members continue to be involved and provide continuous support. C.A.R.E.S. also offer a 24/7 on call support line. We also recognize Providers desire for breaks or time away without the VIP. In light of this, we offer 24 respite days to our providers annually.
Group Homes
Matching – At C.A.R.E.S., our focus and foundation for a healthy Lifesharing family and VIP relationship is based upon our matching process. We work carefully to match each VIP with the right family or person based upon mutual interest, values, lifestyles, and other individualized characteristics. These factors allow us to focus on planning a living arrangement that will be equally satisfying and rewarding for both the VIP and Provider(s). The matching process allows for VIPs and families to get familiar with one another through visits and other planned activities that will help in developing a relationship before moving in.
Lifesharing and Group Homes
Northeastern PA
- address: Lifesharing Main Office 105 West Broad Street, Suite 200 Tamaqua, PA 18252
- Phone: (570) 225-7360
Northeastern PA
- address: Lifesharing Lehigh Valley 535 West Emaus Avenue Allentown, PA 18103
- Phone: (610) 797-2059
Crystal Fegley
- position: Assistant Director of Lifesharing, Intake, & Respite Services
- Email: cfegley@cares4u.org
Catherine Stoeckel
- position: Assistant Director of Lifesharing
- Email: cstoeckel@cares4u.org
Central PA
- address: Lifesharing Main Office 2013 Sandy Dr., Suite 205, State College, PA 16803
- Phone: (570) 225-5514
Stephanie Crouse
- position: Residential Program Specialist
- Email: residentialPS@caresofcentralpa.org
- Phone: (814) 945-4800
Western PA
- address: Lifesharing Main Office 225 Crowe Avenue Mars, PA 16046
- Phone: (724) 687-7880
Kelsea Perfilio
- position: Lifesharing and Administrative Services
- Email: kperfilio@cares4u.org
click on the links below to interact with us
6400 Licensed Residential Home
Offered at C.A.R.E.S. of Central PA
In selecting a community home for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism, we work hard to ensure the home is everything the individual needs. Routine home safety inspections are completed. Our residential staff are well trained and thoughtfully selected applicants.
Monica Miller
- position: Regional Director
- Email: mmiller@caresofcentralpa.org
- Phone: (570) 225-5514
