An adult home and day center that has operated in Gloucester since 2001 is now under new ownership and a new name.
Maryanne Fary Lee has returned to work in her hometown of Gloucester to operate a business she purchased last year. Advent, formerly Sola, is an organization that provides residential and day support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with the center located on Ark Road.
“We have residential houses where people can live full-time if they want,” Lee explained. “And then the day center is wonderful because if someone takes care of their loved one at home and they just want to have an outing, or want a break, they can come to our day center.”
Inspired by the Advent season at church, the name represents the arrival of something new and wonderful. Together, Lee and her partner, Steven Wilkins, have been working to get exposure for the business, letting the community know they are ready to help.
Lee’s goal with the company is to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities live their lives to the fullest, the way they want. “When people have disabilities, people think that they can’t do as much, which is not the case,” she said.
“Our thought is that we want people to live to the fullest, however they feel like that should be. So, it allows people to socialize and experience new things.”
Advent provides an all-inclusive environment, added Wilkins—and not only for those with disabilities to be seen interacting as part of the community. The program also allows the individuals to get out and see a part of the world that they might not have experienced before, he said.
The business currently has three homes, which can each house up to four people, and is in the process of buying another. Each house is a regular home modified with things like wider doorways and roll-in showers, so that as residents need more help, they don’t have to move from their home, said Lee.
“You’ve probably seen several of [the homes] and not even known,” she said.
Residents can come from anywhere in Virginia, and can either go through a Medicaid waiver or pay privately. There are about 25 employees between the day center and residential homes, according to Lee.
The day center’s availability is fairly flexible, with the ability for people to sign up to come for an hour, a day, or even every day, Monday through Friday.
“We have a lot of outings and trips,” she said. Recently, they took a trip to the Norfolk Zoo, but will often go get ice cream in Yorktown, visit Colonial Williamsburg, or wherever people want to go.
Advent works with community service boards and local clubs, like the Abingdon Ruritan Club, and are always looking for more partnerships in the community. “We are very big on being a part of the community,” she said.
Lee worked in assisted living for 15 years, most recently helping build the portfolios of health care communities, but ultimately wanted to make a difference in a more hands-on way. “So that’s where I changed directions and then we found Sola and, ironically, it was in my hometown. So kind of everything happens for a reason,” she said.
Recognized in health care
Most recently, Advent was recommended by both state and local sources as a provider demonstrating the capabilities of today’s community-based support system for individuals with significant medical and behavioral complexities, according to Robyn Sweet, the company’s Executive Director.
“This recognition is especially meaningful to our team because it reflects years of dedication by our staff in providing person-centered residential and day support services here in our local community,” said Sweet. “It also highlights the important work being done across Virginia to support individuals with disabilities in integrated community settings rather than institutional environments.”