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- Who We Are | LEO
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 intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their life vision and goals through supportive housing , recreation , community education and advocacy . Our Area Our service area includes Issaquah, Snoqualmie Valley and Rural East King County , 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
- Our Homes | LEO
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 Trailhead Apartments Care Provider: Not yet determined Groundbreaking took place in July 2026. Read about the project here. Opening 2028 Jiff Searing House Care Provider: Anne Galasso Located near the Issaquah Senior Center, the Searing House is our first home that operates as a Shared Living Home. Opened 2025 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
- Recreation | LEO
Recreation Creating inclusive community activities Become a LEO Sponsor LEO offers a range of sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations in the area, starting at $250 and going up to $1,000. Click on More Info below to view the PDF and find out how to get involved. We have several annual events available to sponsor. Please reach out if you have any additional questions! More Info Recreation Programs LEO offers and supports various recreational programs and events, both directly and in partnership with local organizations. We collaborate with the Issaquah Community Center and Si View Community Center in North Bend to develop classes and outings, and we partially fund a bowling program to include more participants. Additionally, we partner with Waypoint Pediatrics to present the Experience Fitness Project, a fun and fitness-filled day at Issaquah High School’s stadium. Events & Updates Challenge Race Series Each summer, LEO teams up with local Rotary Clubs to sponsor the Challenge Race Series in various Washington cities. This program allows individuals with mental and physical disabilities to experience the thrill of riding in gravity-propelled cars, each paired with a trained volunteer driver. The races are free and help us fulfill our mission by engaging children with developmental disabilities and their families. LEO is always exploring new opportunities to expand our recreational offerings. 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 Employment Smiling man with disabilities sweeping an outside pathway
- Staff & Volunteers | LEO
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. Alyssa Midgley Executive Director Jin Lee Business Operations Peter Walters Grant & Administrative Specialist Molly Simpson Project & Event Support Specialist 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 Laura Maloney Vice President Becky Kitz Treasurer Jonathan Clark Secretary / Advocacy Committee Chair Janet Rumer Board Member Jim Wright Marketing & Public Relations Jiff Searing Past President and current Housing Committee Member 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 Linda Lentgis Events & Outreach Karl Pauly Housing Committee Member Kiwina Wijaya Treasurer Angie Holmstrom Community Outreach / Housing & Development Francis Cheung Tech Advisor Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved
- test page | LEO
2025 Annual LEO Picnic
- Jonathan Clark | LEO
Jonathan Clark < Back Jonathan Clark Secretary / Advocacy Committee Chair Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved
- Ann Dennis | LEO
Ann Dennis < Back Ann Dennis Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved
- Janet Rumer | LEO
Janet Rumer < Back Janet Rumer Board Member Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved
- Laura Maloney | LEO
Laura Maloney < Back Laura Maloney Vice President Resides in Sammamish AA degree in Court Reporting from Minnesota School of Business Parent of two children, one with developmental disabilities Past Events coordinator for City of Issaquah Has served as Board President in the past Board member since 1/2009 Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved
- Donate | LEO
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 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 . Make a donation You can make an impact. Each contribution makes a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual and 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 $10 $25 $25 $50 $50 $100 $100 $250 $250 $500 $500 Other Other 0/100 How did you hear about us? Does your company match donations? Anyone you'd like to honor? Anything else you'd like for us to know? Donate $25 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
- Mike Ernst | LEO
Mike Ernst < Back Mike Ernst President Resides in Issaquah Has a daughter with developmental disabilities Long time supporter of the LEO mission Has served on the Housing and Fundraising Committees, and the Executive Board Long time LEO Board Member Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved
- Rose Finnegan | LEO
Rose Finnegan < Back Rose Finnegan LEO Founder (1937-2018) Rose Finnegan (1937 – 2018) Resided in Issaquah BSN Carroll College in Helena, Montana Parent of five children, one with developmental disabilities Retired nursing supervisor Co-Founder of Life Enrichment Options Organization (LEO) in 9/1988 Member of LEO Board of Directors for 30 years 35 Years of Challenge Day races in Cities across Washington State 40 Years of Advocating for those with Developmental Disabilities Participant in nearly every LEO Event or Work Project for Decades Guiding Light in the Creation of LEO Adult Family Homes The first LEO Adult Family Home (AFH) is named “The Rose Finnegan House” Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved







