Life Enrichment Options (LEO) is thrilled to share our newest LEO home, the Mike Ernst House has broken ground and is under construction today in the Westridge neighborhood in Issaquah Highlands. It is the second LEO home in Issaquah Highlands; the Angela Dews House opened in 2012.
Before LEO was founded in the 1980s, there were no nonprofit organizations creating housing solutions in our area, and there were few recreational programs or jobs accessible to the developmentally disabled residents of Issaquah. Mothers in our community joined together and formed LEO to fill this gap in services. Thanks to their creativity and dedication, we have opened four LEO homes and created recreational and other opportunities for community members with developmental disabilities to connect and thrive in Issaquah.
Issaquah Highlands LEO house residents.
In collaboration with developer Polygon Northwest (now Taylor Morrison) and entirely funded by private donations, the Mike Ernst House will provide affordable, supportive, long-term housing for six disabled adults in Issaquah Highlands by the end of 2022. These individuals will live, work, and play in the community as independently as possible with the personalized support of a care provider, giving each resident the opportunity to achieve their own life visions and goals.
As the cost of living in the Issaquah area increases, LEO is committed to preserving and increasing affordable housing solutions for our developmentally disabled friends, neighbors, and family members. LEO’s current need is to fund COVID-safe fitness, recreational, and social activities for residents in LEO homes and developmentally disabled adults in the community beyond our organization. If you’d like to support our work, please consider contributing to our #GiveBig campaign on May 4.
Grace Robinson is the LEO program director. Photos provided by LEO.
