Most people familiar with the Village can readily name the first two types of residential services it offers – on-campus housing and group homes. What they may not realize is VNU also offers hourly Supported Community Living (SCL,) a program designed to help individuals who have the ability to live independently in their own apartment or home.

Supported Community Living provides “drop in” services to individuals who need assistance with personal finances, healthy meal planning and preparation, transportation arrangements for work or medical appointments and a variety of other support that ensures the individual’s physical and mental well-being. Many of the individuals supported by this program live in the Village’s East Oak or Tri-plex Apartments. Most work at jobs in the community and only need minimal support to allow them to continue to live and thrive independently.

Six staff members, known as Community Living Resource Counselors (CLRC), provide services to 21 individuals throughout the Sheldon community. The team of three full-time and three part-time employees has offices within East Oak Apartments and boasts an average length of service at VNU of 36 years. This small but vital team allows VNU to meet the needs of individuals whom might otherwise go unserved. The program fits very well with the organizational mission to provide Purpose, Privacy and Dignity to all people.

Members of the Supported Community Living team are:
Jim Kleinwolterink – 46 years
Libby Camarigg – 41 years
Norma Bosma – 39 years
Pam Charbonneau – 37 years
Carla Goergen – 34 years
Karen Johnson – 14 years