The Queen Anne Group Home currently has eight clients residing at it. They go about their daily lives trying to find new and fun ways to tackle and escape the mundane. On a regular weeknight, everyone gets home and enjoys each other’s company, watching television, socializing, and playing cards. Most Wednesday nights we head out to the grocery store to stock up on food, and every other Monday, we go to Holy Apostles for dinner. The clients enjoy taking weekly trips to the library and borrowing books, movies, and getting involved with the community. They attend the Willow Pioneers faithfully once a month, as well as any special activities they have such as the seed packing event or cheering on runners at a 5k run. Last summer, a few of the clients attended an air show at Galt Airport which featured bi-planes and classic cars. Some of the clients love to fish and cook. One of the clients has taken an interest in refinishing some older pieces of furniture. Many of the clients like to craft, color, play cards or board games and play on the Wii. On weekends, the house tries to find as many free events in the area to attend, whether it be nature walks, park concerts, or any other events that pop up in McHenry county. The clients often enjoy going to the movies and attending plays hosted by local schools and theatres.
One of the best things about the Queen Anne home is the grounds. The large backyard provides the clients with plenty of room to take walks, fly kites, ride bikes, and some nights, start a fire in the pavilion fireplace and make s’mores! Another way the grounds benefit Queen Anne is by giving extra room to invite other group homes over for parties. Queen Anne’s Halloween party last year was a huge success, and each group home got to come and celebrate with games, food, and music. In the works for this summer is a carnival party where all the clients can walk around and play several different carnival-style games and enjoy the company of others. The house has a lovely screened in porch that is utilized on many occasions for meals.
A wonderful part about Queen Anne is the families. They are very involved and supportive, helping in many different ways. During the holidays, the families come to the house and help decorate the home for Christmas. One of our families also helped plant a garden just a few weeks ago, tilling up a patch in our backyard and planting many different vegetables. Our clients all look forward to watering, weeding, harvesting, and maybe even pickling! The families like to be active in engaging with and supporting one another through meetings in the Spring, Summer and Fall. The clients love to entertain their guardians and families at any opportunity they have.
Queen Anne is such a great house with so much to offer and will continue to be a place where the clients can live happily.
By Renee Stoklosa, Residential Services Manager
