Success Stories

Every morning in Tierra’s Alternative Family Living (AFL) home begins with a moment of intention at the Dreams & Reality board. Here, every family member chooses three words to guide their day. On the day of our visit, Jaheim paused thoughtfully at the Dreams & Reality board before selecting his words: grateful, blessed, and happy. Those words aren’t just a morning mantra for him. They are the way he moves through the world now.

Jaheim talks about his life in Farmville with joy that’s contagious. He credits his happiness to his home, to the support he receives from Tierra - his AFL provider whom he fondly calls “mom” - and to the sense of community and belonging he now experiences with his team - his friends. All possible through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. MFP has given Jaheim a voice and a new start, and as he speaks, his gratitude isn’t just heard; it fills the room.

When asked what he loves most about his new living arrangement, Jaheim says “I love the people.” Tierra promptly responds “Ah, we love you, too.” The people include Jaheim’s AFL provider, his roommates, and day support staff provided through MFP. Together, they have opened doors for Jaheim to experience a new level of choice and independence.

That independence shows up in new ways every day. Shopping for his own groceries and learning how to scan and pay. Becoming the grill master at home - making chicken, hotdogs, hamburgers, and ribs. And then there’s his garden. This year he grew two types of watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce, proudly sharing his harvest with friends. His green thumb doesn’t stop there; he grows flowers and even rehabilitates struggling plants, bringing them back to life with patience and care.

His joy continues to flow as he shares other things he loves about his living situation. He chuckles, describing the friendly competition he shares with his roommate: basketball games in the driveway, watching football together on TV, and WWE video game battles that stretch longer than they should. Jaheim also calls himself an “outdoor person”. He loves being in his yard, mowing lawns, going fishing, and exploring local parks and walking trails. In this home, he has the freedom to do more of what brings him peace and enjoyment.

But perhaps the most inspiring part of Jaheim’s story is the future he’s building. He talks enthusiastically about his goals: earning his driver’s license, starting his own lawn-mowing business, and taking college courses in mechanics. He’s already learning hands-on skills, lifting a riding mower to change a tire, assembling a power washer, and learning to fix other things around the house. He works hard to learn new things because he has a dream: one day, he hopes to assume guardianship for himself. It’s a goal rooted in determination, pride, and the belief that he can shape his own future.

When asked about the hardest part of living in his AFL, Jaheim pauses, then grins. “Waking up,” he says, sharing a laugh with Tierra. He describes the comfort of his room. His soft, cozy comforter (which he chose himself), and his favorite spot of all: his very own couch.

Jaheim’s story is a reminder that with the right support, a nurturing home, and opportunities to learn and explore, people can thrive, not just survive. And every morning is a new opportunity for Jaheim to share his intentions for his dreams and his reality.