My interest in Just People, Inc. is not just because my brother Michael is developmentally challenged or that my friend of 50 years, Susan Coxwell’s twin sons, John and Paul, are residents there. It is because Becky Dowling and her family have created a place, Just People, Inc., that affords individuals like Michael, John, and Paul a quality of life I have never seen anywhere else. The residents are a family. They are animated, interactive, and productive beyond all expectations because they care about each other.
Four years ago the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) ruled that because the residents are segregated in two apartment complexes, they are not “in the community.” So, John, Paul and others lost their benefits. I respectfully submit that DHR is misinformed. Years ago, someone by the name of Olmstead, got it changed so that developmentally challenged individuals do not have to be placed in an institution. They had a right to be in the community. I feel they should have the right to choose where they live. Just People, Inc. is in the truest sense a part of a community. They operate a 22.000 square foot facility from 8:00-5:00 for those who cannot live independently during the day. They also have two apartment complexes for those who can live independently with some assistance. This is no different than group homes. John and Paul live in one of these complexes. With the assistance of Just People, Inc., they are able to work during the day and in the evening return to a safe environment. John, Paul, and the other residents feel this is their home. They love it, and I feel they have the right to live where they choose. At Just People, Inc. they are happy, feel accepted, and are productive.
When you have a family member who is developmentally challenged, you are very grateful when they have a place to live that is safe and well-supervised……very grateful. Just People, Inc. is so much more than that. As John said, “All our lives everyone has been so kind to us, but we have always had to try and fit in. Here we are normal. Here we are friends. This is our home.” That says it all.
At this point, due to their loss of benefits, John and Paul are in jeopardy of being displaced. My goal is to put in place as many “angels” as I can who will donate whatever they can to Just People, Inc. for the benefit of John and Paul Coxwell. At this point, they are both working, but their income does not cover their expenses. Our goal is to combine their income with the help from the “angels” so that they may remain in their home. (If they are ever displaced, it is very unlikely they would ever be able to get back in due to a long waiting list.)
All donations are tax-deductible. If you are able to contribute, please mail donations to:
Darla Stahl
200 St. Raymond Place
Kathleen, GA 31047
Please make all donations to “Just People, Inc.” I will track all donations.
To contact me:
Cell: 478-442-2824
Email: darlamstahl@gmail.com
I am available to speak to any group that would like to hear the story of John and Paul and our efforts to keep them in the home they love.
I encourage you to visit Just People, Inc. at:
http://www.justpeople.org/
All donations are tax deductible even though specified for a particular person, as long as that person is not an immediate family member.
