Our son is one of the first residents living at Vanguard Landing, and the only one currently living in a townhome. In the year prior to moving there, he would say to us how he "can't wait to move to Vanguard Landing so I can be independent." The townhome setting provides the independence he craves by giving him the opportunity to live in his own space but also provides support when he needs it in real time. He also gets to be part of the Vanguard Landing community where he feels embraced.

We have seen him grow in ways that we could not have predicted in the short amount of time he has lived there. He's having more meaningful conversations and interactions with others, choosing the activities he wants to be a part of like going on a tram ride to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge or the local bowling alley, deciding whether he wants to make meals in his townhome or eat in the cafe, going out in the greater Virginia Beach community with others in addition to us and advocating for himself more to name a few. He chose to live at Vanguard Landing because people with disabilities can want to live independent lives but need some help.

We strongly support Vanguard Landing's application to become a provider of the Medicaid waiver. There is such a great need for communities like Vanguard Landing in the state of Virginia.