Westport Club Donates to Respite Home for Families of Developmentally Disabled

An announcement from Westport Women’s Club:

Westport Woman’s Club awarded a grant of $1,200 to STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way at the club’s annual grants awards presentation breakfast.

The grant benefits STAR’s Respite Care Program, which provides relief care to families who have a member with a developmental disability.

Respite services provide coverage and well-deserved rest for the family member in a safe environment that helps to broaden the individual’s horizons while giving family caregivers peace of mind. With the donation, STAR recently purchased updated furnishings for the bed-and-breakfast style Founders’ Cottage, including a sofabed couch and loveseat.

STAR’s Respite Care Program is free for adults 16 or older with developmental disabilities who are registered with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

This facility-based respite care is provided by STAR at Founders’ Cottage, a lovely two-bedroom home with a family style living room, dining room and kitchen. Founders’ Cottage is co-ed and can accommodate four individuals at one time. Respite care at Founders’ Cottage is provided for an overnight, a weekend, a week or more.

Applicants must have a personal DDS number and reservations must be made in advance.

Linda Snell, Director of Family Services at STAR said, “We are so pleased to be adding new, comfortable furniture to our Founders’ Cottage respite program for adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The sofa bed will come in handy during emergency situations and helps to brighten the room on a daily basis for our guests.”

The Westport Woman’s Club, organized in 1907, is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the educational, charitable, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns. For further information on club activities, visit. www.westportwomansclub.org.

STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a local not–for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families.

They create opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy.

They inform and encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals. STAR annually serves over 600 individuals from birth through their senior years in Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Westport and Weston, providing Birth to 3 early intervention therapies, advocacy and at-home residential support, recreational activities, competitive employment training and placement, day programs, senior programs and respite care. For more information about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way please visit their website www.starct.org.