Supporting Disabled Individuals in Aging Crisis.

At 19, Xiao-Ling (alias) is a bright and energetic young woman. Her lively personality has made her well-liked by both peers and staff. Due to a lack of support from her family of origin, Xiao-Ling was referred to the Community Living Services of Children Are Us Foundation in May 2023 after completing her placement in a residential care facility. The goal was to enhance her independent living skills and help her adapt smoothly to community life through the support of the community home staff.

The community home provided Xiao-Ling with personalized services. Because she had previously shown good performance during her cleaning internship, she was referred to our foundation’s vocational services team. They helped her secure a job in a mainstream workplace as a cleaner and continue to monitor her employment status through regular follow-ups by job coaches. With long-term support, Xiao-Ling’s emotional state has gradually stabilized. She is now more receptive to feedback from her supervisor, even when behavioral issues arise.

In addition to employment support, the community home also responded to Xiao-Ling’s personal interests. Since she enjoys baking and going out, staff taught her essential life skills and provided hands-on assistance—from buying ingredients to the actual baking process. They also helped her become familiar with using community resources such as planning routes, using public transportation, and participating in local events. These activities not only enhanced her self-care abilities but also helped her discover her potential, build self-confidence, and gradually form an independent lifestyle.

Through this journey, Xiao-Ling has felt the care and support of both the community and the staff. This has significantly contributed to her development of life skills and her ability to build social relationships. With continued support, we hope Xiao-Ling can steadily move toward achieving her goals and living a more autonomous and fulfilling life.