Group Homes
Supervised, state-of-the-art residences for people who need out-of-home placement
Homes built with heart and serviced with soul
As children transition to adulthood, big decisions may need to be made about the future. Remaining at home works well for some — and Hamaspik will provide every available support to make that possible — but when the family feels that moving the individual into a Group Home is best for everyone, support is available for that as well.
No one can replace family, but at a Group Home the burden of care is divided among a team that works in shifts rather than falling on just one or two people. The residences have the resources that are simply not available in a standard home environment.
With five Group Homes, formally known as Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), in Boro Park and Williamsburg, Hamaspik of Kings County provides a place to call home for as many people as possible.
Who is eligible?
Participants must meet these criteria to apply for this service via Hamaspik of Kings County.
The gold standard in residential placement:
- Each home has a fully stocked kitchen and serves delicious, home-cooked meals, sometimes cooked by the residents themselves. We never scrimp on ingredients — only the best quality will do. Having married couples from within the community staff the homes on weekends creates an atmosphere that is familiar and family-like.
- The homes are run by a staff that is outstanding in every way. They are skilled at keeping social dynamics healthy and safe, and they receive continuous training to manage behavior professionally and compassionately. The entire team works together to both maintain and advance the skills of each resident, setting and achieving new goals regularly.
- Health and safety is a top priority. We regularly conduct fire drills and our own audits, meticulously following procedures. Not only do we take measures to keep our individuals safe, we make sure they feel safe, too. If a resident is afraid of the dark, we'll make sure their space is well-lit, especially at night.
- Each home has a streamlined medical system directed by a nurse. Full medical records of each individual are kept on premises, and are audited annually by the OPWDD. Important information is always passed on to the next shift.
- Residents are encouraged to keep in touch with their loved ones. We make sure home visits happen regularly and facilitate transportation. There is an open-door policy at every home and we invite family and friends to stop by anytime for a visit.
Peek inside our newest home
Come along, as Mr. Fisher, Group Home director, takes us on a grand tour of the newest Hamaspik Group Home on 49th Street — a cozy haven for the 13 women who live there.
The first thing that catches the eye as we walk in is a beautiful lounge, furnished with comfortable couches and pretty throw pillows. The soft music playing in the background creates an aura of comfort and tranquility.
Heading upstairs, we can already hear the lively music and spirited singing coming from the floor above. As we enter the room, we see the flashing lights and energetic dancing as residents and DSPs alike enjoy the new karaoke machine. One woman requests a specific song and her DSP obliges, handing her the mic. With her face aglow, she belts out the words before handing the mic over to her friend to take a turn.
The hearts behind the service
Cheskel Fisher
Director of Residential Services
“I have a buffet in my office full of pictures, just like every grandparent does. It’s filled with Shanah Tovah cards, photo albums, and many other mementos from my ‘children’ at the homes.”
Moshe Grossman
Blimie Stern
Chaya Gross
Malky Porgesz
Yisroel Indig
Elisheva Reiss
Yona Kasnett
Malkie Cziment
Toby Walter
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You're doing all you can — and yet you always feel like you're failing someone.
Watching your other children navigate their sibling’s challenges can leave you feeling sad or helpless. This guide by Dr. Sora Yaroslowitz — a parenting expert, and herself the mother of a child with special needs — gives you tested tools to ease resentment and strengthen siblings' connection.
You’ll discover:
• How to respond when a child asks, “Can’t we just be normal?” (and the exact words to help ease their frustration)
• The common mistake parents make when trying to “make it up” to siblings (and what actually works instead)
• Ways to help siblings move from frustration to empathy (illustrated by a powerful real sibling story)
