Constellation Community Living

What does inclusive housing really look like for adults with developmental disabilities—and why is it so important? In this fireside chat, Dana Hooper, Executive Director of LSA, speaks with Lisa Zuegel, founder of Constellation Community Living, about housing models that center personal choice, connection, and belonging. Lisa shares what led her to this work, the challenges families…

Parent training. These are familiar words to parents who have children with autism and other developmental disabilities. We experience challenging and sometimes scary behaviors especially as our children grow older and stronger and desire independence just like any emerging adult. Some of us have the good fortune to be able to connect to a behavioral…

Our usual pre wake up routine. Looking at my little Wonder Jeffrey bundled under his cozy blanket and his polka-dot bumper clothing his eyes and forehead. While I will get to wake him up like this tomorrow, it will be the beginning of move day and our empty nest. Today is the last full 24…

Written Feb. 2nd early morning at home.  Published on Valetine’s Day…one day before Jeffrey’s last Friday as a 19-year-old at Morgan Autism Center. ~~~~~~~~ Dinners at our home for those we love and care about have become a norm for us.  We have been truly blessed with caring neighbors, family friends and also special teens from…

A ruddy beard is my best reminder…. Your teen, grandchild, niece, nephew or friend is turning 18.  This milestone marks a shift as the teen becomes an adult in the eyes of the law and community, and the role of parents changes from provider to ‘coach’. For an 18-year-old with special needs and his/her parents,…

Small signs are appearing all over that hint a door may have opened for much-needed culture change right here in our own backyards. Just yesterday, a couple of surprises popped up alerting me to possibilities of change.  Our Nextdoor online community which enables discussion threads focused on neighborhood concerns, offer/want ads, lost and found pets, and safety notifications,…

When I was pregnant with my first child, I had only one big wish for the daughter or son on the way:  a child with great confidence.  I wasn’t sure if confidence was something you were born with or that is nurtured or a bit of both.  I just knew that I hadn’t had an…

In six months and fourteen days Jeffrey turns 18.  I have three wishes for him as he transitions into adulthood and continues to grow into a wonderful young man who can make a difference in the world: Wish #1:   that he continues to deepen his sense of himself in the world Wish #2:  that…

When the air starts to get crisp and pumpkins appear on doorsteps, it’s also that time of year to think about guarding against the flu for the coming cold season.  Our family, like so many others, has many stories to tell about our children getting shots.  I could go into detail about bribing our now…

The Constellation Community Model can accelerate the shift of society to develop understanding, compassion and appreciation for those with differences and bring value in which all members of the community thrive. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Constellation Community Living is a new model for housing for individuals with special needs in Santa Clara County.  Our approach reflects our desire…