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ICL helps New Yorkers with behavioral health challenges live healthy and fulfilling lives by providing comprehensive housing, health care, and recovery services. We manage 12 homes for more than 100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This newsletter focuses on these homes and the people who live there. |
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A Home to Grow (and have fun) |
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Imani, now 21 years old, is a resident of ICL’s Joselow House, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. She came to ICL about three years ago, when her mother became ill and could no longer care for her. A staff member recalled that Imani was reserved and shy when she arrived. Not anymore! “I’m very talkative,” Imani told visitors as she took them on a recent tour of Joselow House. Imani showed visitors where medications are dispensed, the living room where residents play games, the kitchen where they share meals, and the laundry room. She ended the tour in her bedroom, which she shares with another resident. There, she showed off the long, flowered dress she wore to this year’s Sweethearts Ball. And then, as if to prove she was no longer shy, Imani, who likes to sing and dance, demonstrated some dance moves and belted out a song from the movie “Frozen”. |
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Imani is one of 14 residents at Joselow House and one of the youngest. Most residents are between 40-70 years old and have lived there for decades. Living at Joselow, and the other 11 ICL-run I/DD residences, allows residents to both grow
and have fun. Staff focus on helping residents build skills and independence while also making time each day for activities and outings. Like other residents, Imani has chores. Besides keeping her room tidy, she does her own laundry and helps put away things that are delivered. |
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She also does the dishes after meals, which she happens to enjoy. “I do a lot of work here, but it’s fun,” she said. With chores out of the way, staff make sure there’s time to play. Staff take residents on trips to Central Park, museums, and the Coney Island aquarium. In the home’s cheerful living room, they play games, sing together around the piano, and perform in a musical. There are Christmas shows and holiday shows and the much beloved annual Sweethearts Ball, a prom for all the residents. In addition, some residents, like
Imani, go to school during the day, and others go to day programs. |
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Like many residents, Imani also gets to spend time with family. She occasionally visits her mother on the
Lower East Side but more often, her mother visits her, sometimes taking her out shopping or to a
restaurant. Imani will graduate from high school in June and proudly tells visitors she will wear a white cap
and gown. But first, she’s looking forward to the senior class trip, when she will be away from Joselow House for the
first time. It’s a mini trail for her ultimate goal: to be able to live on her own in an apartment, she’s most
excited about decorating her own room, “put pictures on the wall and paint the room so it looks pretty,” she
said. |
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About ICL’s I/DD Programs |
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“Our programs provide more than a safe place to live. Our residents become part of a vibrant community where skills are nurtured, strong friendships grow, and dreams are supported. All residents are supervised by staff members who care deeply about their well-being. Dignity, respect, and joy are part of daily life in our residences. This is gratifying work. It’s why I have been doing it for 26 years,” said Tyhema Alexander, vice president, ICL Intellectual and Development Disabilities programs. |
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Q What is your role at Joselow House? A I help our residents with everything. I give them their medication, take them to appointments, to shows, shopping, to the park, and I make sure they practice good hygiene and eat well. We have a cook, but sometimes I cook dinner. They love my chili; they ask for it all the time. Q What is your approach to working with the residents of Joselow House? A We treat our residents the way we all want to be treated, by focusing on their strengths and abilities. We give them the tools they need to build independence and let them have opinions and options for how to live their lives. For example, they all have TVs in their room, but many of them choose to watch together. Sometimes they'll talk about what they are watching, especially about sports. They have their challenges, but they focus on living their best lives and we are there to support them. Q With 14 residents, how do you manage to meet everyone’s needs? A We have one staff member for every three residents, so there is plenty of help and support for everyone. I have a small group of residents I am responsible for during my shift. Of course, if someone else needs me, I will help them out. Eventually you get to know everyone and what they like and what they don't like, what they need and don’t need. I do what I can to make their day-to-day lives easier and the residents know we all care. |
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Please join us on Wednesday, May 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Pierre New York as we host our annual gala to celebrate improved lives and strengthened communities. The gala raises critical funds to support ICL’s comprehensive housing, health care, and recovery services that help more than 10,000 New Yorkers each year. |
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Institute for Community Living — People Get Better With Us It is ICL's mission to help New Yorkers with behavioral health challenges live healthy lives by providing comprehensive housing, health care, and recovery services. We take a trauma-informed approach—meeting the people we serve wherever they are, working together to support them in achieving their goals. Support ICL Please take a moment to help people get better with us. Your gift will immediately help those with the greatest need. To discuss your gift or learn more about your giving options, please email Development@iclinc.net or call 212-385-3030, x 10004. |
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Call 844-ICL-HOPE (844-425-4673) to connect to resources. Visit iclinc.org to learn more about ICL programs and services. |
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Contact Us Institute for Community Living (ICL)
125 Broad Street, Third Floor
New York, New York 10004
212-385-3030
Development@iclinc.net |
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