Glaicel and Marjhim Cuyugan began working with Dungarvin Nevada last year as Host Home providers, serving adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in their Reno home. In July this year, they welcomed Sienna, a 22-year-old with a mild intellectual disability who has moved away from her parents for the first time in her life.
It’s a major adjustment for the young woman as she gets to know Glaciel and Marjhim and her new environment. In turn, the couple are learning how to best support Sienna to expand her world, live a safe and happy life and realize her goals, one of which is finding employment.
Sienna still spends time with her parents, who sometimes take her home for visits. But she still gets homesick, missing them, as well as her neighborhood and all that has been familiar to her. Glaicel offers compassion and comfort, and encourages Sienna to look forward to the future and new experiences.
“I tell her, ‘You only know of your old neighborhood, but when was the last time you went to Lake Tahoe?!’” Glaicel said, adding that she and Marjhim took her to the beautiful lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains this summer. “I wanted her to experience it and meet our nieces and friends, all of whom welcomed her. We celebrated the Fourth of July and she had a wonderful time. So, I told her, ‘yes, of course, you’re still going to miss your home and parents, but you’re also going to experience a lot of good things.’”
“I tell her she has some challenges, but everybody has challenges.”
Glaicel Cuyugan, Dungarvin Nevada Host Home Provider
Due to her I/DD, Sienna’s behavior can be challenging at times, such as when she’s feeling frustrated, Glaicel said. “So we have needed to establish that everyone deserves respect, because we are here to help and assist. We’re not here as an enemy. We’re here to support her.”
It is this type of understanding and compassion that has endeared Glaicel and Marjhim to the Dungarvin staff, who trained and support the couple through Nevada’s Adult Host Home Services. Area Director Veronica Brennan praised them for providing person-centered care that aligns with Dungarvin’s mission of “respecting and responding to the choices of people in need of supports.”
Sienna is fairly independent; she needs assistance primarily with cooking meals and managing her health. Glaicel encourages her to eat a healthy diet and takes her to medical appointments to ensure any health issues are being monitored and addressed.
Sienna attends a job training program, where she has made friends, and she hopes to land employment at a restaurant in the near future.
Glaicel’s hopes for Sienna are that she develops better self-esteem, becomes happier and realizes her goals. “She always talks about how she’s disabled and that makes her feel bad. I tell her she has some challenges, but everybody has challenges.”
For others considering becoming a Host Home provider, Glaicel says it’s important to be mentally and emotionally prepared because it can be challenging at times. And, she says, it’s crucial to have a real passion for helping people. “What motivates me to do this is seeing the individuals I support happy and thriving. When I see them make progress and overcome challenges, that is the big reward for me.”
If you or someone you know is interested in receiving services from Dungarvin Nevada or Dungarvin operations in other states, please visit www.Dungarvin.com.