The Dwelling Place celebrates 20 years

On Sunday, August 28 at 6 PM The Dwelling Place will celebrate its twentieth anniversary as a group home serving people with intellectual disabilities in the Icicle Valley with a community-wide Ice Cream Social and Open House.  Whistlepunk Ice Cream will provide dessert, and Washington State Representative Keith Goehner will speak about programs that support vulnerable adults in communities throughout the state.  Everyone is invited to the Dwelling Place big back yard for an evening of friendship and fun! The Dwelling Place is located at 12686 Shore St. Leavenworth, just off Icicle Road.  All are invited to share in this free event.

The Dwelling Place began in 2002 when Kathy and John Bangsund dreamed to use their family home to provide a place for their son Matt to continue to enjoy living in his community throughout his adulthood.  As the dream came fully to life, deep friendships among a houseful of “brothers” have been forged.  Along the way, Leavenworth has been a wonderfully supportive community where The Five Amigos, as they call themselves, have been welcomed as employees in businesses, cheered on by volunteers, and blessed by friendships since the beginning.  Without a doubt, Matt, Christopher, Eric, Chris and Alex are delighted to call Leavenworth their home.

Since 2002, dedicated staff have joined the life of the Dwelling Place.  Currently, Tina McKenzie Banks serves as the Resident Manager of this Adult Family Home, and Brian Owens is the overnight manager, supported by his wife, Belinda.  In 2021, Amy Smith became Executive Director, working closely with the Board of Directors to guide The Dwelling Place into the years ahead.  Several steadfast part-time caregivers also contribute to complete the 24/7 schedule needed to overseeing the needs of the men who live here.

The Dwelling Place family is excited to be reintegrating into the community following Covid lockdowns.  Some of the ways people can connect with staff and residents in addition to the Ice Cream Social include a casual game of Uno, a picnic on the patio, or a walk together on one of our beautiful trails in the area, meeting together again as friends old and new.  The Upper Valley community has also been supportive in contributing to the ongoing economic needs of The Dwelling Place.  With Medicaid and Social Security funding covering only about 50% of basic budgetary needs, the faithfulness of our “Friends of the Amigos” partners is a vital part of keeping the doors open, and we are grateful.

Anyone interested in scheduling a visit or getting more information on The Dwelling Place nonprofit group home, is invited to visit our website at www.dwellingplaceleavenworth.org or email dwellingplacehome@gmail.com