For adults with developmental disabilities and their families, the opportunity to live more independently can represent years of hope, planning and preparation.
For three men at Wings Special Needs Community, that hope became reality this summer when they moved into the first Community Living residence on the Wings campus.
The new home was made possible through a $1.5 million gift from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, which supported the Thriving Together Campaign and helped establish the first residential home on the new Wings Community Campus.
On July 29, Wings celebrated the opening of the home with a ribbon-cutting and Masonic Cornerstone Ceremony. The celebration marked more than the completion of a new building. It represented a new opportunity for adults with developmental disabilities to experience greater independence, connection and quality of life in a supportive community.
From Vision to Reality
Just days after the celebration, on Aug. 6, three men moved into the home.
For their families, the moment was years in the making.
“Families have been preparing for this day for so long, knowing their adult child’s greatest need is greater independence. Masonic Charity Foundation’s partnership is an incredible answer for families in Oklahoma,” Weaver said. “Our Members are finally realizing their fullest independence alongside scheduled awake staff.”
The Community Living residence is designed to provide a balance of independence, privacy and support. Located within Wings’ 75-acre community, the home includes four separate apartment-style living spaces designed to feel personal and welcoming.
Each apartment includes its own living and dining area, full kitchen, pantry and laundry space. Each also has three private bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, giving residents personal space while allowing them to be part of a shared living environment.
Independence With Support
A centrally located office provides a consistent staff presence when residents are home. Common areas and exterior spaces are equipped with security cameras as part of Wings’ broader approach to oversight and accountability.
The goal is to provide a safe, thoughtfully managed environment while honoring the independence at the heart of the Community Living model.
For families of adults with developmental disabilities, residential opportunities can address a significant personal need. Wings is creating a place where Members can develop greater independence while remaining connected to a community that understands and supports them.
The new residence also provides opportunities for Members to experience living at Wings before a permanent move. Until all of the spaces are filled, Wings Members can participate in weeklong stays, providing a form of respite care for families while allowing Members to become familiar with the home and Community Living experience.
That flexibility is important because the need extends beyond a place to live. Families also need opportunities to rest, plan for the future and know their loved ones have a welcoming place where they can grow.
A Lasting Investment in Families
Wings’ Community Living program is part of its broader mission to enhance the lives of adults with developmental disabilities through social, vocational and residential programs guided by principles of the Bible.
The organization is also accredited by the National Commission on Accreditation of Special Education Services, or NCASES. Wings is proud to be the only NCASES-certified community in Oklahoma.
The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma’s investment in the Thriving Together Campaign helped turn an important part of that mission into a physical home. More importantly, it helped create a new path forward for adults and families who have long hoped for greater independence.
For the three men who moved in Aug. 6, that future is no longer a plan on paper. It is a place to wake up, prepare a meal, spend time with friends and build a life of their own.
For Wings, the first Community Living home is a beginning. For the Members who call it home and the families who have waited for this opportunity, it is a milestone they will remember for years to come.
“Masonic Charity Foundation is and will forever be the greatest blessing and beacon of hope to families whose child was born with developmental disabilities,” Weaver said.
