Medhanie loves soccer and was excited to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup games.
Each of Dungarvin’s group homes develops its own special character, created from the personalities and interactions of the people who live and work there. Some homes are highly active and upbeat, while others are more calm and quiet.
The four men who live in Dungarvin’s Newport, Minnesota, group home have very different personalities, yet they coexist in a way that makes the home a pretty easy going place.
On a recent afternoon, the guys were busy with typical activities while Dungarvin Residential Program Coordinator Diane Mailand sat at the kitchen table talking with a visitor.
“It’s pretty mellow here,” she said. “You really have to pull them out to do things as a group — they each prefer to be doing their own thing.”
At the table with Diane was Cody, 27, focusing on his latest project: constructing a ball-return device for his small pool table in the basement. “He was playing pool and he decided he could just make one,” said Diane, clearly impressed with Cody’s ingenuity. She said it took the young man just five days to design and landscape a beautiful water garden in the back yard. It features two small ponds, complete with goldfish, a small hill, and a flowing river between the ponds.
Cody has been making steady progress on becoming more independent, as his previous living situation put many restrictions on him. Today, thanks to the support of Diane and her team, he’s enjoying more freedom and the ability to try new activities.
The other men who live at the Newport home are Medhanie, Adam and Shannon, all in their 50s. Staff assist the residents with a variety of daily tasks, including cooking meals, managing their medications, as well as transportation to appointments, work (Cody and Adam have part-time jobs) and other activities in the community. Staff are always on hand to provide emotional support and encouragement.
“It’s just fun to hang out with these guys,” said Diane, who has been with Dungarvin for 12 years. “And it feels good to know you’re helping them — just to be here, even when they ask for the smallest things, like ‘can you check my money on my card,’ or ‘can we go to the store?’”
As Diane chatted with the visitor, Shannon, the most quiet and, perhaps, shy housemate of the bunch, stayed in his room. Diane said he’s usually sitting at the kitchen table playing solitaire. “He calls me Grandma,” she said with a chuckle. “I don’t know how that got started; and just to be clear, I’m not old enough to be his grandma, ok?”
Gardening enthusiast Adam points out the various vegetables he planted in the back yard.
In the adjacent living room, Medhanie was glued to the TV, watching a World Cup soccer game. A true fan, he counted down the days to the tournament’s start. Medhanie also likes to take walks, read the Bible and meditate. He said he enjoys living in the Newport home. “We are supported by nice people, and it’s a nice place.”
Just then, Adam walked in the door, home from his seasonal job at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, where he’s helping to plant flower gardens in preparation for the fair in August.
Gardening is Adam’s passion. In fact, he planted a huge vegetable garden in the back yard, and he plans to share its bounty with his housemates. He said he enjoys living at the group home and appreciates the support he receives from the staff.
Working with Diane that afternoon was George Conner, a Dungarvin Mental Health Specialist, who is filling in as a Direct Support Professional temporarily until his permanent assignment at another group home begins.
“It’s really about putting them first,” George said about his job. “We do what we can to assist them and then get out of the way, because it’s not about us; it’s about them.”
If you or someone you know is interested in learning how you can receive support from Dungarvin, please visit us at www.Dungarvin.com.