What is Olivia’s Gift?

Olivia’s Gift is one family’s search for meaning creating hope for many.

Olivia’s Gift is a model for nonprofit residential living for adults with severe disabilities.

This first-of-its-kind apartment style living was inspired by Olivia Henrickson, designed by her architect father and brought into being through generous support of many—family, friends, community, church, and the families of others with severe disabilities.

Olivia was three years old when a near-drowning left her unable to walk, talk, or care for her most basic needs. But she blossomed under the nurturance of home and the advanced therapeutic programs and equipment available in her public school. Today, as she reaches adulthood, her family—along with countless others like them—faces the next challenge in their journey. How to continue to provide the level of support, stimulation, and interaction that their children received in their schools, once they are no longer eligible for educational services.

Olivia’s Gift is an inspiring and much-needed model for providing celebrated living for adults with serious disabilities.

Meet Olivia

Olivia Henrickson was three years old when she wandered off and was found, 25 agonizing minutes later, in a nearby pond. Paramedics were able to revive her, but the effect of the near-drowning changed her and her family’s lives forever.

She was now confined to a wheelchair, unable to and walk, talk, or take care of her most basic needs. But her spirit was incomparable. While the accident stripped away many of her abilities, the gift of her smile and a contagious giggle returned over time along with a sparkle in her eyes, that spoke volumes where no words were needed...years, serving as a beacon to guide her family, remind them that every day is a gift, and keep them moving forward in their journey for meaning. As Olivia reached adulthood, her family, along with countless other families, faced the next challenge in their journey: How to continue to provide the level of support, stimulation, and interaction their children have received in their schools, once they are no longer eligible for educational services.

Take a look at our homes!

 FAQs

  • Our Vision – Olivia’s Gift stems from one family’s search for meaning for their child who lives with severe disabilities. It is this founding family’s wish that many other families who know this lifelong challenge will one day have an “Olivia’s Gift” of their own. A vibrant place in the community waiting for their child as he/she moves through life. A home away from the family home.

    Our Mission – Olivia’s Gift is a non-profit creative housing partnership for young adults who require a high level of care. We provide excellent individualized support and meaningful community-based opportunities while assuring a safe and caring environment.

  • OG1 is located at 5040 Cascade Road in Ada Township near the intersection of Cascade Road and Spaulding. This location will provide residents with easy access to area parks, medical services, community centers, churches, and schools. In addition, Ada Township and the neighbors nearby have graciously welcomed Olivia's Gift with open arms.

    OG2 is located at 2009 Forest Hill Ave in Kentwood Township near the intersection of Forest Hill Ave & Cascade Road.

  • Olivia's Gift is an unlicensed facility which allows residents and their families the freedom to live by the “self-determination” model or philosophy which gives people with disabilities the freedom to decide how to live their lives. Being an unlicensed home gives residents more freedom and control to choose a) how they wish to live their lives, as well as b) where they most want to live.

    This is supportive living, using support funds allocated to individual tenants through the Network180 self-determination process.

    Olivia’s Gift will accept tenants who have adequate funding from public and private sources, and it will work creatively to help coordinate the services using individual service budgets.

  • Individuals age 26 and younger will continue their education through KISD Special Education. For those residents beyond the age of 26, family members will identify each resident’s preferences. Day programming both in Olivia's Gift as well as outside activities will be offered.

    Rest assured, Olivia’s Gift offerings will have residents on the move! Art therapy, music for enjoyment, pet therapy, and aquarium observation will all be a part of a typical day at Olivia's Gift. In addition, residents may wish to venture out for a nature walk or try their abilities at gardening.

    Beyond Olivia's Gift, staff fully intend to keep residents engaged in the larger community through volunteer programs, ongoing community involvement, regular outings, and service projects to name a few of the possibilities.

  • Each resident's monthly SSI or SSDI will cover basic food and rent. Rental rates are held low due to the grant money we are receiving from the Kent County Housing Development office.

  • Olivia’s Gift will use a current provider agency through Network 180. These skilled professionals will provide staff support in the residents’ apartments to insure that all needs are met and that the residents are working on their goals stated in their person centered plans.

    These service providers have years of expertise coordinating residential living care for the severely disabled. Olivia’s Gift will also extend an open invitation to nursing students who are fulfilling their internships, along with family, friends, community members, church groups, and volunteers who show interest in working with our residents.

  • Self-determination is a philosophy that says people with disabilities should have the freedom to decide how to live their lives – just like everyone in the community wants to. Self-determination is not a program or something you do – it is a way of life.

    All people with disabilities can live in a self-determined way if they have support to develop the skills and beliefs to take control over and responsibility for their lives. In Michigan, an individual plan of service that is developed through the person-centered planning process can be one key part of living a self-determined life. The plan of service identifies clinically/medically necessary mental health services aimed at increasing independence, community inclusion and productivity as well as natural and community supports the person needs to become or remain connected to family, friends and the community.

    What is self-direction of public mental health services?

    People eligible for covered mental health services in Kent County have a choice. They can receive those services in the traditional manner or they can choose to self-direct them. People wanting to live a self-determined life may choose to self-direct mental health services as one way to take more control over and have more responsibility for that part of their lives.

    The basic tools for self-direction of covered mental health services are the following:

    • A plan of service identifying clinically/medically necessary mental health services and other supports

    • A Self-Direction Agreement

    • An individual budget that outlines the funds allocated for covered mental health services

    Individuals can choose one of three ways to implement self-direction of mental health services:

    • A provider with choice arrangement using staff from an agency on the network180 provider panel

    • A purchase of service agreement with a provider not on the network180 provider panel using a fiscal intermediary

    • Acting as employer of record (hiring and managing own staff) using a fiscal intermediary

    What are the principles that support self-determination and self-direction?

    Freedom: The ability for individuals, with assistance from allies, to plan a life based on acquiring necessary supports in desirable ways, rather than purchasing a program. This includes the freedom to choose where and with whom one lives, who and how to connect to one’s community, the opportunity to contribute in one’s own ways, and the development of a personal lifestyle.

    Authority: The assurance and authority for a person to control a certain sum of dollars in order to purchase supports, with the backing of their allies as needed.

    Support: The arranging of resources and personnel, both formal and informal to assist the person in developing a life dream, taking steps to reach toward that dream and living his/her desired life in the community, rich in community associations and contributions.

    Responsibility: The acceptance of a valued role by the person in the community through employment, affiliations, spiritual development, and caring for others, as well as accountability for spending public dollars in ways that are life-enhancing.

    To learn more on Self-determination visit www.network180.org.