Caring for these with disabilities could be a difficult process — however with the proper assist, steering, and empowerment, disabled adults have the potential to dwell thriving, impartial lives. Sentry Residing Options is a corporation remodeling the lives of disabled adults within the San Francisco Bay Space by way of distinctive one-on-one companies. From its humble beginnings to its exponential progress, the non-profit group has turn into an admirable instance of how companies with a coronary heart could make a big impression locally.
Because the founding father of Sentry Residing Options, Carlos D. Cienfuegos is not any stranger to serving to others. With a background in psychology, Cienfuegos started his profession as a Program Coordinator at a corporation serving adults with developmental disabilities. Throughout this time, he realized the immense potential to make a distinction within the lives of those people, empowering them to attain their goals and lead fulfilling lives.
“Since I can bear in mind, my coronary heart has at all times been mission-driven,” says Cienfuegos. “I’m Christian and I’ve at all times been dedicated to serving to others and doing missionary work. So the guts of serving to folks has at all times been there.”
His need to begin his personal enterprise, mixed together with his lifelong ardour for serving to others, sparked the inception of Sentry Residing Options. Cienfuegos noticed the chance to streamline processes, embrace fashionable practices, and supply the absolute best care and help to people with developmental disabilities.
From being hands-on with shopper interactions to strategically increasing the group’s companies, Cienfuegos takes on many roles. The corporate provides Impartial Residing Providers (ILS) and Supported Residing Providers (SLS) to assist people obtain various ranges of independence whereas offering 24/7 care and help to those that want it.
“ILS (Impartial Residing Providers) is all about offering instructional companies and educating life expertise, serving to people turn into extra impartial from their household and help system,” Cienfuegos explains. “Alternatively, SLS (Supported Residing Providers) caters to those that require extra intensive help, they usually dwell in their very own properties with private caregivers.”
Sentry Residing Options’ holistic strategy has been instrumental in remodeling lives and empowering people with developmental disabilities to steer self-sufficient lives. Nonetheless, Cienfuegos acknowledges the challenges confronted by Sentry Residing Options in relation to classification inside the business. As a novel intersection of human companies and healthcare, defining the group’s function might be complicated.
“Our business is difficult for folks to categorize or outline clearly. The state representatives generally take into account us a part of the healthcare sector, whereas others appear not sure, and a few even view us as instructional companies,” Cienfuegos elaborated. “I consider we must be labeled as human companies.”
He additionally emphasizes the necessity to place the highlight on people with developmental disabilities and keep away from misconceptions. Every shopper deserves recognition for his or her distinctive skills and challenges.
“Once I clarify what we do, some folks assume it’s associated to psychological well being, which is a big difficulty in itself,” he explains. “Nonetheless, we will’t merely categorize somebody with Down Syndrome as having psychological well being issues. Psychological well being points like melancholy and nervousness are separate and distinct from the situations our purchasers have.”
Along with passionately advocating for his purchasers, Carlos Cienfuegos continues to steer Sentry Residing Options on its exceptional journey of remodeling lives, empowering people with developmental disabilities, and making a extra inclusive and compassionate society. In a world that usually overlooks the potential of these with disabilities, Cienfuegos’ imaginative and prescient and dedication give us hope and remind us there are not any limits to the constructive change we will obtain.
