The excerpt is taken from : Falling off the Cliff Part 4: Life after death By: Ronnie Polaneczky, STAFF COLUMNIST, Daily News Philly.com December 1, 2017

For those … like Norman Moore, 60, the going is dicey without the close advocacy of others.

Born with intellectual disabilities to a violently alcoholic father and an abused mother unable to care for him, Moore was removed from his parents’ Southwest Philly home as a toddler. He ricocheted in and out of terrible foster-care situations and, as an adult was often homeless. Other times, he rented rooms in squalid boarding homes whose housemates were sketchy. By the time he was 44, Moore had never lived in one place for more than a few years.

“People stole my money and clothes – everything,” he says.

His luck changed 18 years ago when he moved in with State Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D., 201st) and his family (Kinsey, » Continue Reading.

Click for Message from the President, Jeff Wilush

As of June 30, 2018, Horizon House will go Smoke- Free. What better day to begin our journey to become a tobacco-free agency than on  November 16, the day celebrated across America, “The Great American Smoke-Out”? Horizon House believes that we have an obligation to promote health and wellness for the people we serve and for each other. To this end, we are dedicated to becoming a tobacco-free agency.

The official Kick-Off was held across Horizon House to ensure that everyone heard the same information.  As this initiative progresses, we are equally committed to helping people with this change.

During the next months, if staff or participants wish to take this opportunity to quit, help will be provided through education and treatment options.  Because we understand that support can make the difference, we are offering tools, resources, and support to assist everyone wishing » Continue Reading.

Horizon House recently received over 100 winter coats for men, women, and children.  The coats have already been distributed to some of our programs.  The coats are due to the generosity of the Auto Dealers Association Driving Away the Cold, Melanie Greaves of the Haverford Area YMCA, and David Kaufman of BNI. Many Horizon House programs like Shelter Plus Care provide subsidized housing and supportive case management services to formerly homeless adults and families.  Children’s ages in these families range from infants to teens.

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week – September 10-16

In recognition of the dedication and accomplishments of Horizon House’s outstanding Direct Support Professionals, we express our sincere appreciation for their vital contributions to the individuals we serve, their families and communities.

September 10-16 is a national celebration of DSP’s, who ensure that people with disabilities have the necessary supports that enable them to live, work, and enjoy life as independently as possible in their community.

Horizon House DSP’s we salute you!

With temperatures dipping below freezing Horizon House Outreach staff take seriously, their job of moving homeless men and women out of the frigid weather. Jeff Chirico of 6abc Action News reported the following story last Friday.

CITY OFFICIALS SEEK TO KEEP HOMELESS SAFE DURING CODE BLUE

Due to the extremely cold temperatures expected, city officials want to make sure the homeless are safe. There is a 24-hour outreach to find people who are homeless, so they can be transported to safe indoor areas. All available beds within the emergency housing network will be open to those that need them. Homeless people will be allowed to stay inside emergency housing throughout the day.

If you see a person who appears to be homeless during a Code Blue, call(215) 232-1984. For more information, visit the City of Philadelphia’s website.

We » Continue Reading.

Life circumstances have brought many men and women to Horizon House’s door for services.

We hope that you give a gift to Horizon House and help us reach those still out there needing a home, support, and a friend to guide them. The individuals we help who are homeless, struggling with mental illness, or dealing with the challenges of an intellectual disability, are grateful for any gift received.

 To make a donation click here.

 Philadelphia Insurance Companies, a Philadelphia Flyers sponsor, and one of our insurance brokers, was instrumental in Horizon House being chosen to be honored as a Flyers Community Teammate. While a very great honor, the most difficult task was to identify only one of Horizon House’s many dedicated staff for this distinction. As difficult as it was, David Kenner, our InSHAPE Health Mentor was selected to represent Horizon House during the November 29th Flyers game at the Wells Fargo Center. David’s work with individuals we serve is only one example of Horizon House focus on the needs of the “whole person” as we strive to “build healthy communities.” He meets individuals where they are and helps to build rapport and self-esteem. He goes above and beyond to help create consistency in the lives of the ever increasing number of InSHAPE members to exercise and to think about their well-being. David motivates peoples to desire to connect to activities in the community, » Continue Reading.

Dr Arthur Evans, the Commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Service (DBHID), spoke to our Horizon House Board and staff on Population Health during the October 11th board meeting.

Population Health is an innovative approach being implemented by DBHIDS to improve the health status of the community. . This approach seeks to promote health and wellness in all, not just to diagnose and address the challenges of some.

According to Dr. Evans, “Philadelphia thrives when EVERYONE is healthy & well” (twitter @ArthurCEvans).  HH is very excited about the direction the DB because this system-wide health approach will exponentially expand the scope and scale of prior efforts. Horizon House is proud to boast that Wellness has always been an integral part of the services we offer.

Image consultant Eileen Scardina visited Horizon House in Swarthmore, Pa to give what every woman wants and needs- an afternoon of beauty. Theresa Murphy, Program Director of Homeless Services in Delaware County believes that the informative afternoon was not really about looking better; it was about feeling better. It provided an opportunity for women to share experiences and encourage other women to believe that they all are beautiful, inside and out. It was an afternoon of no judging, just loads of fun.

Eileen’s compassion displayed during the “First Impressions” workshop truly had the power to change lives positively. “Every woman deserves the chance to be spoiled and the right to feel special.”

Eileen is a member of BNI- Main Line I Chapter, an international business networking organization built on the philosophy “Givers Gain®”. Because of the generosity of this group, not only did each woman walk away with a knowledge of skin care, a new understanding of the importance of » Continue Reading.