Supporting Disabled Individuals in Aging Crisis.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 3rd-quarter statistics for 2022, Pingtung County has a total of 51,996 individuals holding disability certificates, with 15,388 falling under the category of intellectual disabilities. Given Pingtung's demographic skew toward the elderly, the demand for care for families with members having intellectual disabilities is steadily increasing.

In response to this need, the foundation established the southernmost haven, "Children are Us Night Community Homes" (CauHomes). Located in the city center of Pingtung, near the Pingtung Social Welfare Center and the Christian Hospital, CauHomes benefits from abundant community resources and social welfare services.

The objective of CauHomes is to provide individuals with intellectual disabilities more opportunities to learn how to plan their own lives. By doing so, the foundation aims to alleviate the stress and anxiety faced by families in providing care. The home guides service users in developing skills for independent living, including self-care, health maintenance, financial use and management, leisure planning, and utilizing community resources. The ultimate goal is for these individuals to be gradually accepted and affirmed by the community, allowing them to return to their families or integrate into the community independently.

One success story from CauHomes is the case of Ah Cai (pseudonym), residing in the Shiluo Home in Qishan. At 51 years old, Ah Cai's parents have passed away, and his brother and sister-in-law became his caregivers. Facing challenges in caring for both his sick wife and Ah Cai, his brother decided to enroll Ah Cai in the Swan Castle Care Center and Night Community Homes. Through the services provided by the home, Ah Cai learned various life skills, such as checking expiration dates and prices while shopping, participating in festive activities, and independently taking public transportation. Ah Cai's abilities improved, and his life became richer after utilizing the services of the home.

The Children are Us Foundation currently operates 11 Night Community Homes, serving nearly 70 individuals with intellectual disabilities. These homes provide a comfortable learning environment, supporting individuals on their path to independence. In 2023, the foundation plans to open two Night Community Homes in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, with the hope of helping more individuals with intellectual disabilities lead independent lives.