Three years ago, MENTOR Shared Living opened an office in Warwick to assist adults with developmental disabilities in finding a place they could call home. Now, with 41 adults placed with families across the state, MENTOR is growing faster than anyone could have anticipated.

“We didn’t think it would grow this fast but it’s such a wonderful residential opportunity,” said Program Manager Joanne Malise.

To accommodate their swelling ranks of mentors and “peeps” – a term they use to describe their clients that they feel doesn’t sound clinical or cold – MENTOR has moved up to the Penthouse of their Centerville Road office.

In celebration of their new digs, the organization hosted an Open House last Wednesday complete with live entertainment from Victor Garcia, who throughout the event sang, salsa danced, played the piano and showed off some of his artwork that now brightens up the walls of the new office. Victor was more than happy to give guests the tour, stopping at a wall of peep photographs to point out all of the friends he has made –just one of his accomplishments since joining the program.

“Since joining us Victor has learned English,” boasts Program Recruiter Shaelyn Crooks.

Victor shrugs it off, talking instead about the large tree drawing beside him that he made at an art class for adults with disabilities. Placing peeps in these kinds of programs is one of the supports provided by MENTOR Shared Living. “Every adult with a disability in the state is eligible for day programs,” Crooks explained.

Navigating the maze of state assistance is one of the services MENTOR provides to improve the lives of their clients. Part of a national network of human service providers, the Rhode Island chapter of MENTOR specializes in placing adults in residential homes after a rigorous screening process. Potential MENTOR families go through a two-month application process involving sending support professionals into homes for interviews, evaluations and home inspections. After trial visits between the client and the family, MENTOR staff interview both parties to ensure the match is one they feel comfortable with. More often than not, MENTOR has found clients see shared living as their best option.

“My new place is awesome. I love it,” said Leslie Silva, who was one of the first clients to find a home through the program.

Once the adult is placed, MENTOR supports the situation with regular visits and 24-hour availability in case of emergencies.

“We have people of all different ages of all different abilities,” Malise said of her peeps, many of which hold steady jobs they find with the help of MENTOR.

Of program families, Malise said it takes a special kind of person to make shared living work.

“We look for people with room in their homes and room in their hearts,” she said.

The program manager said the biggest challenge they face is spreading the word about shared living arrangements. Group homes have long been the preferred alternative, but many states – like New Hampshire and Massachusetts – have begun to look at shared living as a viable alternative.

“The state has indicated this is the direction it would like to go in,” Malise said. “It’s a significant savings for the state of Rhode Island.”

In addition to receiving two-thirds of each peep’s Social Security funds, MENTOR families receive a stipend for room and board that costs less for the state than providing for that individual in a group home scenario.

“I think it’s fantastic that Rhode Island is moving in this direction. It’s providing choices for people,” said Patti Donovan, the state director for MENTOR who has worked for the network throughout the region. “It’s a model we’re looking to expand in our other states.”

The national MENTOR network includes 35 states and is constantly looking for new families to bring into the equation.

“That’s not because it’s a business objective. It’s an organic growth,” said Donovan, who was in Warwick specifically to visit the Open House. “The growth is inspiring and I think it’s going to continue.”

Greeting guests at the entrance of the MENTOR penthouse suite was Michael Horiagon, who has been with the program for two years.

“It’s a good place to be. I get to meet people I can hang around with – good people,” he said.

Horiagon said he especially enjoys the MENTOR nights that the organization hosts once a month. Now with their larger office, these two-hour events that provide extra support for families promise to be more comfortable for the 60 or so guests that stop by each month.

At the Open House, socialization turned to friendly competition as Victor challenged his friend Bernie Baton to a dance-off. The two laughed and danced alongside one another, though Baton said dancing isn’t his sport of choice.

Donning Red Sox gear, he talked about the upcoming Special Olympics in which he plans to compete in lifting.

“It’s fun. You get to stay over at night,” he said, adding that he’s “very nervous” for the big day.

In his free time, Horiagon said he likes to go to the Seekonk Speedway for some racing.

“You see me on the track – look out.”

Between the socializing and snacking, MENTOR staff said that seeing the relationships grow between peeps and families is the ultimate reward for their hard work.

“You get the feeling that everyone really appreciates what you do. You get the smiles and the personal relationships,” said Program Coordinator Lynn Obrebski.

“We’ve seen changes in some long-term behaviors when people get the consistency of living in a home,” agreed Malise. “Without a doubt this is the best residential choice I’ve ever seen.”