March 28, 2024 2:41 PM
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YEI! Reaches Its Ambitious Goal … With Help from the Community

Sterling Ranch homes residents Jessica, left, and Taylor, pose in the kitchen of one of the homes. The project was completed in November. Six YEI! guys or gals live in each home, along with a host family.

Thanks to a successful community effort, a dozen guys and gals from Yavapai Exceptional Industries (YEI!)—and their host families—celebrated Thanksgiving in new digs: the Sterling Ranches hosted family homes in Prescott Valley.

The two 4,850-square-foot homes are within walking distance of YEI’s Antelope Pointe @ Eastridge. Each is home to six guys or gals and has a “humongous view” of Lynx Creek canyon and the Rafter 11 Ranch, according to YEI! Executive Director Brad Newman. Between the homes sits Waso Park, a landscaped area where residents can hang out, play horseshoes, barbecue, and enjoy the company and scenery.

The project finished 27 percent under budget, Newman said, and there were no injuries on the job. The layout of the homes is similar to those of YEI’s Prescott hosted family homes, Rusing Hills and Washington Hills: a spacious great room and kitchen, six bedrooms, and two respite bedrooms, which give caregivers a break and a YEI! guy or gal a chance to hang out with friends and try out independent living. There’s also an apartment for the host family.  The building is ADA-compliant.

Residents Jessica and Taylor said their favorite thing about living in Sterling Ranches is being housemates.

“I love learning how to be interdependent,” Taylor said, and Jessica said she’s enjoyed being more independent and learning how to do certain chores, like putting away the dishes. YEI-hoo Ricky said he enjoys cleaning the dining table and hanging out with the guys.

Newman expressed gratitude to the community partners who made this project possible:

  • The Sterling Family and Prescott Charities
  • B’s Contracting
  • Fann Contracting
  • MI Windows
  • MI Windows’ Employees, who did a fundraiser to put TVs in the homes
  • EuroTech and Engrained Cabinets
  • Inspired Closets
  • Totally Floored
  • Blind Brothers Arizona
  • Michael Taylor, architect

The best thing about the Sterling Ranches, Newman said, is that they move YEI! further toward “my own job and my own PLACE!”

YEI! is a charitable organization founded in 1974 to support adults with disabilities living in the Central Highlands by providing them with job training, employment, volunteer placements, and support services. The “Developmental Employment” program at YEI! includes the award-winning “Community Contribution Corps” and has been continually accredited at the highest level of service by the National Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities since 1978.

 

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