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The 125 individuals who reside within the massive house advanced off Norfolk Parkway in West Melbourne reside their greatest lives.
They go to work at Publix, Walmart, Mercedes Benz of Melbourne, The Fountains, Imperial Spa & Salon, the close by AMC Traditional Theater and different companies throughout the House Coast.
Their bosses describe them as devoted, hard-working, constructive influences and Worker of the 12 months.
Of their free time, they hang around on the pool, take artwork lessons, journey bikes and go to the fitness center. They love karaoke, bowling and golf.
They describe themselves as type, humorous, loyal, strong-willed and unbiased.
Unbiased.
It is a life-style lots of the residents of Promise in Brevard and their households by no means thought could be a chance.
Different phrases might be used when speaking about these women and men. Blind. Cerebral palsy. Deaf. Autistic. Down syndrome. Wheelchair.
However these phrases do not outline Raymond Homosexual, Janelle Leman, JP Poveromo, Jill Stark, Jakon Fletcher, Savannah Newell, Elizabeth Morin, Matthew Bradstreet, Thomas Gerhauser, Tim Craven, Lily Kindred, Joe Hultgren, Brook Dorough, Chandler Thompson, Emily Lombardo, Ashley Buescher, Zach Biddulph, Mike Cook dinner or any of their neighbors.
Not at Promise.
On April 27, these 18 younger adults strolled, strutted, danced and rolled down the catwalk throughout the fourth Promise Runway of Goals trend present and luncheon, held locally’s banquet room.
They wore outfits culled from the Promise Treasures Thrift Shoppe on New Haven Avenue and labored the gang of 200, exhibiting off not simply the garments, however a confidence and pleasure that comes from being comfy with who you’re and the place you’re.
Promise was only a idea 15 years in the past, an thought for a spot that will present reasonably priced housing and unbiased life for adults with cognitive and bodily disabilities.
In 2014, the non-profit was awarded $15.8 million in state funding to assemble three house buildings and a clubhouse simply west of Interstate 95 close to Hammock Touchdown.
The primary residents began transferring into their flats in late 2017.
The Promise campus consists of flats, an artwork studio, a cafeteria, a pool and a fitness center. Residents get pleasure from karaoke nights. A Resident Neighborhood Program consists of vocational coaching and employment help; transportation providers; unbiased dwelling programs; and well being, health and diet lessons.
In video interviews introducing the fashions earlier than they hit the runway, the Promise residents talked about attending to adorn their very own properties. They instructed of how a lot they love with the ability to reside alone in a one-bedroom place, or how a lot enjoyable it’s to share a multi-bedroom house with roommates.
They talked about nerves early on. What would it not be like dwelling away from their dad and mom or a bunch residence?
They shared tales about going to work and earning profits. About freedom and independence.
“I do know she’s very glad,” stated Sharon Kindred within the video introducing her daughter Lily. “She’s round people who find themselves unbiased, so it is pushed her to be unbiased.”
The style present ended with standing ovation, all of the fashions crowding onto the runway, swaying to the music and waving to the viewers.
The luncheon visitors responded with laughter and applause whereas DJ Timmy Vee cranked up Queen’s “We Are the Champions.”
It was a transferring second celebrating sturdy, decided, unbiased individuals.
“(At one time) individuals instructed me I might by no means be ok to do something,” Thomas Gerhauser stated in his introductory video. “I proved them fallacious.”
Study extra about Promise in Brevard at promiseinbrevard.com.
Suzy Fleming Leonard is a options journalist with greater than three many years of expertise. Attain her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Discover on Fb: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard
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