Achieving Personal Goals

In honor of March being Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, The Community Supports Network (CSN) would like to share the many stories of people supported by CSN. Today we are thrilled to share Corinne’s story.

Corinne, who is celebrating her 23rd Birthday in March 2021, grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska, and moved to Lincoln to attend school. CSN was honored to be selected, by Corinne, to provide her supports after she graduated from the VOICE program at Lincoln Public Schools.

Corinne has been actively involved with CSN’s Labor Solutions day program since 2019 and has participated in many different learning opportunities and projects. Recently, she has expanded her interests to include exploring art. When she isn’t busy with projects Corinne enjoys socializing with her friends and traveling.

When Corinne was searching for a Shared Living Provider, CSN worked with her to find the perfect fit based on her interests and goals. Some things she was looking for in a family household included a loving, caring home, a home that had pets, and a family that would support her in achieving her personal health goals.

CSN was proud to be able to introduce Corinne to Claire and Derek (pictured below). Claire and Derek really worked hard getting to know Corinne and what she was looking for in a Shared Living Provider. They all had an immediate connection and after meeting several times Claire and Derek made the decision to complete the necessary training to become a CSN Shared Living Provider (SLP). Once Corinne was ready, she moved in with Claire and Derek’s family that consists of four teenage boys (Griffin, Leighton, Porter and Parker) some of whom are in High School and some in College. Other family members that Corinne is especially excited about are Demsey, a yellow lab, and two cats, Fort and Clash. Since moving in, she has enjoyed bonding with the family, the pets, and even extended family members like Grandma Mary.

Corinne’s favorite thing about her CSN Shared Living Provider is that the family has truly included her in every aspect of their family and lives. She says that everyone is supportive, kind, and they are always willing to do things that she enjoys. One such notable memory that Corinne has created with her SLP was being able to take a trip this past Summer to visit her mother in South Dakota.

Corinne enjoys Claire and Derek being her CSN SLP and she is most certainly learning, growing and living each and every day. One of the aspects she was looking for in a household was a family that would support her with her personal development and health goals. Since moving in with Claire and Derek, Corinne started on a journey to improve her health. She is excited to share that she has lost a total of 65 pounds which she credits to the support of her CSN SLP as well as a commitment to exercising regularly, eating healthy meals and watching portion sizes. “She just keeps her body moving”, Claire said. Corinne states that her improved health is “one of my greatest accomplishments!”

CSN could not be prouder of the accomplishments Corinne has made and the relationship that she has built with Claire and Derek. They have demonstrated compassion and ongoing support of Corinne to support her to achieve her goals and have truly shown what amazing outcomes can happen if the right supports exist.

The Community Supports Network is honored to be able to offer Shared Living Provider services among a multitude of service options available for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or mental health needs. CSN is dedicated to providing the necessary services and finding the correct individualized supports for every person to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and live a quality life.