For Tiffany, home has never just been a physical place. Home is a feeling of being welcomed, understood, and included. It’s knowing you belong. Through KenCrest’s Lifesharing, Tiffany has found that sense of home, along with the confidence to shape a life filled with purpose, independence, and adventure.
When Tiffany talks about her life today, she doesn’t hesitate. “That’s my family,” she said. For Tiffany, Lifesharing isn’t a service; it’s the place where she feels safe and truly at home.
That sense of belonging took time. When Tiffany first came into Augustine’s home, her Lifesharing partner, she was navigating a major transition. She had just left a place she’d lived in for many years, and everything felt uncertain.
“She came to me as an emergency placement,” Augustine shared. “She had just left a place she’d been in for many years, and she was really upset. It was a lot for her.”
During that time, Tiffany needed space, understanding, and patience as she adjusted to a new chapter in her life. Augustine focused on meeting Tiffany where she was and supporting her through the transition.
“We worked on skills, yes,” she explained, “but more importantly, we worked on helping her feel safe again. She needed consistency, patience, and time.”
Slowly, Tiffany began to settle in. She found her rhythm. And with trust and support around her, she began to thrive.
For Tiffany, Lifesharing means sharing everyday life with someone who supports her while respecting her choices, goals, and independence. In Lifesharing, a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities lives in a family home and becomes part of the household, not as a client, but as a valued member of the family. For Tiffany, that support showed up through consistency, encouragement, and the space to rebuild trust and confidence at her own pace. With a stable home and someone alongside her, she was able to focus on what mattered most to her, growing more independent, participating in her community, and building the life she wanted.
Today, Tiffany’s life is full in ways that once felt out of reach. She proudly works two jobs — one at Goodwill and another at Handi‑Crafters. Working has helped Tiffany build independence and confidence, giving her the ability to save money, make choices, and plan for the things she cares about most, especially traveling.
At home, Tiffany continues to grow more independently in her daily life. She prepares her own breakfast, helps with dinner, and gets herself ready in the morning. These everyday moments reflect how far Tiffany has come, building confidence through routines that support choice, dignity, and self-determination.
Beyond home, Tiffany is deeply connected to her community. She spends time with friends, enjoys outings, and takes part in activities alongside Augustine. She’s also become involved in civic engagement, attending election events and helping welcome neighbors at polling locations.
“She comes with me to election events,” Augustine said. “We knock on doors, encourage people to vote, and on election day she helps welcome people. Everybody knows Tiffany.”
With that same sense of confidence and belonging, Tiffany began setting her sights on something she had dreamed about for years.
One of Tiffany’s biggest dreams was to travel to Nigeria, a goal she held onto for years. Through hard work, planning, and support, that dream finally became a reality.
“She saved her money and stayed focused,” Augustine explained. “She set that goal, and she made it happen.”
Tiffany remembers the trip with joy. “I had a lot of fun,” she said. “I like the zoo. I like the mall.” But the experience was about more than sightseeing. On the drive from the airport, Augustine remembers Tiffany looking around and saying, “This is home. Everybody looks like me.” It was a moment that captured just how meaningful the journey was.
Tiffany embraced every part of the experience, the culture, the food, and time with Augustine’s family. “They fell in love with her, and she fell in love with them,” Augustine said. “Now they always ask about her. They call her their friend.”
When it was time to return home, Tiffany wasn’t quite ready. “I don’t want to come back,” she joked. But she did return with something lasting, confidence, pride, and a wider view of what her life can be.
Looking back, Augustine reflects on how far Tiffany has come. She has so much more confidence now and makes her own choices. That, Augustine believes, is the true impact of Lifesharing. “It’s normal life,” she explained. “Not just living together, but really participating — making decisions, going places, enjoying everyday moments.”
For Tiffany, that normal life includes dreaming about what’s next. Whether that's going back to Nigeria or visiting Wildwood, Cape May, or somewhere entirely new, Tiffany knows her world is open.
Through Lifesharing, she has found a home, and the freedom to keep exploring beyond it.
Interested in learning more about Lifesharing or becoming a provider? Discover how opening your home can help someone find belonging, independence, and opportunity.
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