Sponsored Homes | Tim & George

Before David joined The Up Center’s Sponsored Homes program, life had been unstable. He had moved between several homes after his biological family could no longer meet his needs. He had never had a room of his own, and his belongings were often taken or lost. Quiet and withdrawn, David carried deep anxiety that made it difficult to eat, speak up, or feel safe anywhere he stayed.

Everything changed when he was carefully matched with a Sponsor family who saw and valued his gentle spirit. They welcomed him not just into their home, but into their hearts. Over the past ten years, David has thrived in their care. His health has improved, he has gained weight, and his once-soft voice now carries laughter and confidence.

Today, David is a vibrant part of his family and community. He goes to church each week, enjoys meals out, and looks forward to family vacations. He and his Sponsor share matching beards and are often mistaken for brothers—a comparison that always makes him smile.

After years of uncertainty, David finally has what he longed for: a loving home, a sense of belonging, and people who cherish him for exactly who he is.

For Linda, home has always meant family. After living happily with relatives who served as her Sponsors, she was moved to a new home when her care needs changed. But during a holiday weekend visit with her family, Linda’s emotions poured out. She tearfully shared how much she missed them and how deeply she wanted to come home.

Her family listened, and so did her care team. The Up Center staff immediately began working together to make her wish a reality. Over the next two days, the team coordinated every detail—updating training, reviewing safety requirements, and ensuring that all the necessary steps were completed to maintain her care without interruption.

Within just 48 hours, Linda was back with the people she loved most. Her family members were retrained, their home recertified, and her services fully restored in less than a month.

Linda’s story shows what can happen when compassion meets action. Because her care team and family worked together, she is once again surrounded by warmth, familiarity, and the comfort of home—a reminder that love and belonging are at the heart of true care.

When Ruth began feeling unwell, her Sponsor immediately noticed something wasn’t right. They had just come from an appointment with her gastroenterologist, who hadn’t found anything of concern—but the Sponsor couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Trusting their instincts, they drove straight from the doctor’s office to the emergency room.

That decision saved Ruth’s life. By the time they arrived, she had developed a high fever of 103 degrees and was diagnosed with sepsis, a life-threatening infection. She was hospitalized for over a month and underwent surgery, but thanks to the Sponsor’s quick action and the care of her medical team, Angela recovered and was able to return home.

During her recovery, the Sponsor received additional training and support to meet Ruth’s new medical needs. Their attentiveness, compassion, and commitment ensured that she could heal safely and continue living in a nurturing environment.

Ruth’s story is a powerful example of what happens when compassion and training come together. The Sponsor’s intuition and dedication—paired with the program’s guidance—made all the difference. Because someone cared enough to act, Ruth is home today, living a life filled with safety, dignity, and hope.

When Robert was referred to The Up Center in August, his situation was complicated. He had significant medical needs and had been living in a care facility that struggled to coordinate his next steps. Every delay made it harder for him to move forward—and harder for him to find a true place to call home.

That’s when a Clinician Supervisor stepped in. He took the lead to make sure nothing fell through the cracks. He worked tirelessly to secure the medical orders, prescriptions, and equipment Robert would need to live safely and comfortably. He even drove to Robert’s previous home himself to collect belongings and make sure the transition was handled with care.

Thanks to his dedication, Robert successfully moved into his new program. What could have taken weeks longer happened smoothly and with compassion—because someone cared enough to go above and beyond to make sure he didn’t have to wait any longer for stability and belonging.

When Mark moved into his new home, his Sponsor immediately noticed that something wasn’t right. He was struggling with serious medical and behavioral challenges, and his caregiver felt overwhelmed trying to meet his needs. Concerned for his well-being, she reached out for help.

The Director responded right away, contacting the Community Services Board to bring everyone together. Within days, a coordinated team—including the Office of Integrated Health, the CSB, the Sponsor, and The Up Center’s clinical staff—met to create a plan. Behavior and wound care consultations were arranged quickly, and additional supports were provided to help the Sponsor feel confident and supported in caring for Mark.

At the same time, the Administrative Program Manager identified another potential Sponsor who could meet with Mark to explore whether her home might better fit his needs. It was a true team effort—professionals from multiple disciplines coming together with one shared goal: ensuring that Mark received the care, stability, and compassion he needed to thrive.