Life Enrichment Options Creating Homes and Enriching Lives for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 6 days ago Thursday Night Hangouts - July 2024 Just a reminder to our guests and families who have signed up, but July's Thursday Night Hangouts is tonight! https://www.eventbrite.com/... 8 views Jul 12 First Post! Life Enrichment Options is proud to present our new website. We would like to thank several people; Jim Wright - Jim helped design the... 29 views Get Involved Jim Wright with care providers at LEO Summer Picnic Events & Updates Four smiling adults with disabilities wearing leis Photos A collage of many LEO photos Life Enrichment Options (LEO) is a community based non-profit organization that works to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their life vision and goals through supportive housing , recreation , employment opportunities, and community education . We are active in the Issaquah and Snoqualmie School Districts. You Can Make A Difference Donate Today Join Our Cause Welcome to the LEO Organization, where caring supporters and dedicated volunteers come together to empower individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Join us in making a difference! Volunteer at LEO events, assist with event coordination, or join a LEO Committee. Your support is essential for us to achieve our mission. Contact us below. If you need language assistance, let us know. We provide interpreters and translated materials upon request. Thank you for considering joining our cause! Contact Us First name Last name Email Write a message SUBMIT Thanks for your interest. We'll get back to you soon. Keep Up to Date Subscribe to LEO newsletters and events Email SIGN UP Thanks for your interest!

Staff & Volunteers Care Providers Care providers are the cornerstone of LEO. They manage our homes for adults with developmental disabilities, ensuring a safe, supportive, and enriching environment. Their dedication and compassion empower our residents to lead fulfilling lives with dignity and independence. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment and the positive impact they make every day. Chona Gascon Rose Finnegan House Claire Mmbone Nancy Whitaker House Evelyn Galasso Angela Dews House Mary Njuguna Ann Dennis House Pam Stefansky Mike Ernst House Staff Our staff expertly manage and organize programs, maintain our homes, coordinate fundraising efforts, plan events, and handle essential administrative tasks. Their dedication and hard work ensure that we can continuously support and enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. We are proud of our team's unwavering commitment and the invaluable contributions they make every day. Molly Simpson Program Director Jin Lee Business Operations Board Members LEO board members are dedicated volunteers who provide leadership and guidance. They make the decisions that shape our organization, including purchasing or building new homes and hiring staff and care providers. Their strategic vision and commitment ensure that LEO continues to grow and effectively support individuals with developmental disabilities. We deeply appreciate their expertise and the significant impact they make on our community. Mike Ernst President Becky Kitz Vice President Kiwina Wijaya Treasurer Janet Rumer Secretary Francis Cheung Tech Advisor Karl Pauly Housing Committee Member Linda Lentgis Events & Outreach Jim Wright Marketing & Public Relations Laura Maloney Past President and current Executive Board Member Jiff Searing Past President and current Housing Committee Member Jonathan Clark Advocacy / Housing & Development Angie Holmstrom Community Outreach / Housing & Development Past Board Members Rose Finnegan LEO Founder (1937-2018) Leo Finnegan Past President Jane Searing Board Advisor Angela Dews LEO Founder, LEO Board Emeritus Nancy Whitaker LEO Board Emeritus Ann Dennis ​ Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Education Educational Forums for Parents, Families, Guardians and Others Our Work LEO connects with families, offering vital education on relevant topics through quarterly forums. We empower our community with essential information on housing, guardianships, special needs trusts, and employment. All our events are free and provide networking opportunities for parents, caregivers, and educators. Stay updated on upcoming forums and other events. Events & Updates Past Programs Positive interactions with law enforcement officers Healthy lifestyles Technology as a tool for independent living Housing Options Preparing for employment Person Centered Planning Advocacy Recreation opportunities Shirley Paceley, MA from the Blue Tower Training, Decatur, Illinois, speaking on how to stay safe Marsha Quinn, Community Outreach Manager for Encompass (EncompassNW.org) led a discussion on when and what parents or guardians must do. Learn About Our Other Initiatives Housing family home with large veranda Recreation Two sets of gravity cars with excited children in them. Employment Man smiling with a broom as he sweeps leaves

Get Involved You can make a difference LEO welcomes supporters to volunteer at events or join a committee (Housing, Events, Fundraising, Finance). Let us know how you’d like to help by calling, emailing, or using the form below . LEO Committees Our committees play a crucial role in planning activities and events, including: Educational presentations The Annual Salmon Days and Festival at Mt. Si parades Fenders on Front Street The Challenge Race Series Annual Picnic Committees also make recommendations to the LEO Board, ensuring we stay connected to the community's needs. Challenge Series Races Held in July, August, or September in partnership with Rotary Clubs, these gravity car races offer a fun day for participants and their families across the state, from Oak Harbor to Snoqualmie. ​​ ​ Volunteer Roles Assist at race events Recommend responsible students (between 4’8” and 5’2” tall and up to 130 pounds) to be gravity race car drivers Identify individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities who would enjoy being co-drivers Sponsorship Opportunities​ Promote your company or product by sponsoring our race cars. Your name will be displayed on our cars, providing a unique way to advertise in your community. Donate Make a one-time or recurring donation through our website. Donate Get In Touch Let us know how you'd like to help First name Last name Email Write a message SUBMIT Thanks for submitting!

Legal & Privacy ​ Life Enrichment Options (LEO) is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit corporation organization and contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift, and estate taxes. UBI #601-199-914 Federal ID #91-1458330 State Charities Program #9040 ​ For verification of this registration, call the Washington State Charities Hotline at 1-800-332-GIVE or visit the Washington Secretary of State’s Charities Website Privacy Policy This website is operated by LEO. It is recognized that visitors to this site are concerned about the information provided and how that information is treated. LEO cares about the privacy of its website visitors and therefore does not sell or otherwise make available personal identification information to any person or organization. ​ This website may contain links to other sites not affiliated with LEO organization. Every effort is made to link to sites that share the same standards regarding your privacy. However, since LEO is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites, users are encouraged to be aware, when they leave this site, to read the privacy statements of each separate website that they visit. The information contained in this privacy policy statement is for the website of LEO organization only. ​ This website contains trademarks, service marks, graphics and text that are the property of LEO and/or our community partners. These properties may not be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted or distributed without the prior written consent of LEO or National Assistance League. Except as expressly provided above, nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring any license or right under any copyright or other intellectual property right. ​ This website takes every precaution to protect the user’s information. When the user submits sensitive information via this website, the information is protected both online and off-line. When a registration form or contributor form asks for the user to enter sensitive information such as credit card number, that information is encrypted and protected by encryption software. The information provided shall only be divulged to members of the organization needing access to this information, such as the Treasurer. We maintain records of all contributions to LEO. Authorized members of LEO may contact you to obtain additional information. You may choose to opt out from or restrict the use of your contact information by contacting LEO through one of the methods below. Donor names and addresses shall not be shared, unless required by law, or sold to outside organizations, and such policy shall be disclosed to donors. Unless requested not to do so by the donor, LEO may list the donor’s name and donation category in publications of LEO that may be seen by individuals outside LEO. This information may be contained in documents including, but not limited to annual reports, press releases, grant applications or community newsletters. Donors may contact LEO to view copies of annual reports, IRS (Form 990) or other financial documents prior to making the donation. Donor may also ask for examples of prior publications showing the manner in which donor contributions are acknowledged. ​ The names of individuals and businesses appearing on the website have been so placed with their express and implied knowledge. Personal information shall not be divulged for any reason unless a link to that certain person or business has been granted and is in place on this website. If further assistance is needed or for any questions, please contact LEO using the information in our website footer below.

Our Homes Adult Family Homes for people with Developmental Disabilities The Adult Family Home (AFH) model is a home in a typical neighborhood where five or six individuals with disabilities can live as independently as possible in a family-like atmosphere with their live-in care provider. Thanks to the many generous donations, five AFHs now exist—four in Issaquah and one in the Snoqualmie Valley. Learn More Mike Ernst House Care Provider: Pam Stefansky Located in the West Issaquah Highlands, the Mike House is our first home built in partnership with Taylor Morrison home builders. Opened 2022 Nancy Whitaker House Care Provider: Claire Mmbone We opened the Nancy Whitaker House in 2020 in the Snoqualmie Valley. It's the first house opened outside of Issaquah. See the photos taken during construction . Opened 2020 Angela Dews House Care Provider: Evelyn Galasso We again teamed up with Polygon Homes (after successfully building the Rose House) to build the Angela Home, this time in the Issaquah Highlands community. Opened 2012 Ann Dennis House Care Provider: Mary Njuguna The Ann House is located in a beautiful park-like setting right along the border of Issaquah and Sammamish. Opened 2006 Rose Finnegan House Care Provider: Chona Gascon Located in the Olde Town neighborhood of Issaquah, the Rose House was LEO's first home and was named after one of our founders, Rose Finnegan. It continues to set a great example of how to operate an Adult Family Home, not just in the LEO organization, but in the community as well. Opened 2003 Life Enrichment Options and Adult Family Homes (AFH) Life Enrichment Options (LEO) owns and maintains Adult Family Homes (AFH) in Issaquah and the Snoqualmie Valley, providing supportive, family-style housing for adults with developmental disabilities. We are committed to expanding our housing options and ensuring a high standard of care. What Are AFHs? AFHs are unique homes in typical neighborhoods, designed to offer a family-like atmosphere where five or six individuals with disabilities live as independently as possible with their live-in Care Provider (CP) . These homes are licensed and regulated by the State of Washington, with each home accommodating up to six adults and a full-time CP. ​ Note that Adult Family Homes are sometimes confused with “Shared Living Homes” or “Supported Living Homes”, or the generic term “Group Homes”. Both the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services , and the Arc of King County are great resources for more information. Care Providers Our Care Providers are independent contractors vetted by LEO and licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). They operate their own business from the home and receive Medicaid reimbursement for providing personal care. LEO leases the homes to the CPs at below-market rates, covering some utilities, maintenance, and insurance. While CPs manage their businesses independently, they adhere to LEO’s standards of care and lease agreements. Self-Sustaining Model Thanks to generous donations and prudent financial management, each home is debt-free and self-sustaining . This model ensures that residents receive comprehensive care, housing, and social interaction under one roof. Residency Application ​ If you are interested in applying for residency, please reach out to us directly to do an initial screening. ​ When a vacancy occurs, the Care Provider reviews applications, conducts interviews, and ensures compatibility among residents. New residents can engage in community integration and participate in employment or day programs if possible. ​ ​ To help you prepare for your child’s transition to independent living, you can download LEO’s “Guidelines for Educating Your Child Toward Independent Living.” ​ Care Provider Opportunities To apply as a Care Provider, please send a cover letter and resume to info@lifeenrichmentoptions.org . Learn About Our Other Initiatives Recreation Two sets of gravity cars with excited children in them. Education A thoughtful-looking man looking a computer screen. Employment Man smiling with a broom as he sweeps leaves

Who We Are A community working to improve lives Life Enrichment Options (LEO) is a community based non-profit organization that works to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their life vision and goals through supportive housing , recreation , employment opportunities , and community education . Our Area ​ Our service area includes the Issaquah and Snoqualmie Valley school districts , located on the ancestral land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. See Who Makes This Possible Care Providers LEO care providers Mary Pam and Evelyn at summer picnic - medium Staff LEO staff Molly and Jin at summer picnic - horizontal medium Board Members LEO board members Angie and Janet at summer picnic - medium History ​ LEO was born in 1988 out of the need of mothers of young adults with developmental disabilities. As their children were leaving the safety net of the Issaquah schools, there was very little to look forward to in the way of activities and services in the community. These women were determined that their children would lead fulfilling lives on their own terms. Over the years LEO has made significant progress in developing housing, programs and activities. Accomplishments ​ Partnered with Polygon Northwest to build the Rose House (2003), Ann House (2006), and Angela House (2012) in Issaquah, providing homes for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Built the Nancy House (2020) in the Snoqualmie Valley and the Mike House (2022) with help from the Kuni Foundation and Taylor Morrison Construction. Sponsored educational forums on housing, interactions with law enforcement, healthy lifestyles, and technology for independent living. Represented on local parks and recreation committees and initiated our own recreational programs in 2014. Partnered with local Rotary clubs and Kiwanis to host the Challenge Series Races for children with special needs. Recognized and encouraged employers who hire individuals with developmental disabilities. LEO continues to grow, staying connected with the community and working with governmental agencies to provide innovative solutions to complex challenges. Our Groundbreaking Shovel June 5, 2002 Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference. Get Involved

Employment Creating connection through the workplace Employment Advocacy and Support Advocacy for employment was the foundation of the LEO organization. The "founding mothers" identified a significant gap in employment services and job coaching for individuals with developmental disabilities. Over time, this need has been addressed by various private and non-profit organizations through employment vendors. ​ Today, we encourage families to collaborate with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and existing employment vendors to access these essential services. ​ We also urge families and friends to support individuals with developmental disabilities by engaging in community activities such as volunteering at Salmon Days , participating in community cleanup days , or joining the Aktion Club supported by AtWork! and the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah. LEO proudly recognizes businesses in our community that go above and beyond in hiring people with disabilities. These employers are committed to: Adapting hiring procedures Offering flexible job descriptions Allowing on-site employment specialists for job coaching Providing a supportive network for employees Actively recruiting individuals with disabilities​ Your support and involvement help create a more inclusive and empowered community for everyone. Employers We've Recognized Albertsons, Eastgate Adventure Bowl AMC, Factoria Applebees, Renton Arena Sports AtWork! Bellevue Community College Burger King, Issaquah City of Issaquah Costco Headquarters Costco Warehouse, Issaquah Earth Pet Eastridge Christian Assembly Encompass Eurest Dining Services Evergreen Ford Fairwood Golf and Country Club Fischer Meats Foryu Furnishings Fred Meyer, Issaquah Gilman Auto Body Girl Scouts of Western Washington Hilton Garden Inn Home Depot, Issaquah Home Goods, Issaquah Issaquah Brew Pub Issaquah Kiwanis Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Issaquah Press Issaquah Salmon Hatchery Issaquah School District Jubilee Farms Kids Country Day Care, Issaquah KinderCare, W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy Lakeside Montessori Lowe’s, Issaquah Matthews Thriftway McDonalds, Gilman Meadowbrook Urgent Care Clinic Michael’s Toyota of Bellevue Microsoft Mt. Si Sports and Fitness NAES (formerly North American Energy Service) National Etching North Bend Theater Old Country Buffet, Factoria Panera Bread PCC Natural Markets Pediatric Associates Petco, Issaquah PetSmart, Issaquah Pine Lake Club Pioneer Coffee Roasting Company Pitney Bowes Services Providence Marianwood QFC, Gilman Blvd, Pine Lake, Klahanie, Newcastle Red Robin, Bellevue Square Regal Cinemas, Issaquah Ridge Fitness, Snoqualmie Rite Aid, Factoria River Dog Round Table Pizza, Issaquah Safeway, Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish, Renton Highlands San Mar Snoqualmie Casino Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course Snoqualmie Police Department Snoqualmie Valley YMCA Squak Mountain Greenhouse and Nursery Starbucks, Gilman, E. Lake Sammamish, Pine Lake, Klahanie Village, Renton Highlands Swedish Medical Center Issaquah Swedish, Pine Lake Clinic Target, Issaquah Tavon Center The Golf Club at Newcastle The Grange Supply The Rotary Club of Issaquah Trader Joe’s, Issaquah True Martial Arts Tutta Bella, Issaquah Twedes Cafe University House, Issaquah US Archives Walgreens, Issaquah, Bellevue Whole Foods, Bellevue WildFin, Issaquah, Renton York Building Services, Bellevue Zeek’s Pizza, Issaquah Highlands Learn About Our Other Initiatives Housing family home with large veranda Education adult with disabilities using a computer at a desk, a thoughtful expression on his face Recreation Two sets of gravity cars with excited children in them.

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What We Do Housing, Recreation, Employment Opportunities, and Community Education for the DD community Life Enrichment Options (LEO ) is a community based non-profit organization active in the Issaquah , and Snoqualmie School Districts and supports individuals with developmental disabilities through: Housing Recreation Employment Opportunities Community Education Housing Learn about LEO’s housing initiatives that provide safe, supportive, and family-style homes for individuals with developmental disabilities. About Housing Recreation Learn about LEO's inclusive recreational programs, including our popular gravity car races. About Recreation Employment Opportunities Discover how LEO advocates for employment opportunities and supports individuals in finding meaningful work. About Employment Community Education Explore LEO’s initiatives in community education, providing essential resources and knowledge to empower individuals and their families. About Education Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference. Get Involved

Help Make a Difference Donate or Volunteer Today! LEO could not happen without you . Everything we do comes from your donations . Join our vision of creating fulfilling lives for people with disabilities today. Interested in volunteering? Get Involved Make a donation You can make an impact. Each contribution makes a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and our community as a whole. ​ There are also other ways to donate down below. Frequency One time One time Monthly Monthly Amount $10.00 $10.00 $25.00 $25.00 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $250.00 $250.00 $500.00 $500.00 Other Other 0/100 Comment (optional) Donate LEO is a non-profit corporation . With every donation you will receive a receipt of your donation for tax deductions as well as our heartfelt thanks. UBI - #601-199-914 Federal ID (EIN) - #91-1458330 State Charities Program - #9040 ​ For verification of this registration, call the Washington State Charites Hotline at 1-800-332-GIVE or go online and visit the Washington Secretary of State’s Charities Website . To view our most recent IRS Form 990, search EIN: 91-1458330 on the IRS Exempt Organization Search . Other Ways to Donate ​ Mail a check or money order to: Life Enrichment Options P. O. Box 117, Issaquah WA 98027 Venmo us at @Life-Enrichment Designate LEO when giving to: United Way Washington State Combined Fund PayPal us at info@lifeenrichmentoptions.org Earn as you shop or search . Some retailers donate a percentage of the purchase price to the nonprofit that you select at no cost to you. See these programs: Fred Meyer Community Rewards ​ Adopt LEO as your cause , then shop using GoodShop or search using GoodSearch . Consider donating to LEO in your will . Call or email us to have a talk. Donate your used vehicle , regardless of condition, by calling 1-855-527-2232. Interested in volunteering? Get Involved

Events No events at the moment Past Events Fri, Jun 14 Bellevue Example Ticketed Event Jun 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Bellevue, 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA This is not a real event, just here for testing Share Details Fri, Jun 07 Location is TBD Fictional Future Event Jun 07, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location is TBD This is a fictional event to help design the events page. There's nothing actually happening. Share Details Tue, May 21 Issaquah 2024 Award Recipients – LEO Caring Community Awards May 21, 2024, 7:00 PM Issaquah, Issaquah, WA, USA A celebration of the 44th annual Community Awards in Issaquah Share Details Keep Up to Date Subscribe to LEO newsletters and learn about upcoming events Email SIGN UP Thanks for your interest!