Every evening, the men who live at Eden’s Blue Devil House gather around the table for dinner. They don’t start eating until everyone is seated. After living together for 10 years, it has become an important tradition to end their day by sharing a meal.
Ari, David, Martin, and Michael have created many traditions and routines that they enjoy together. David and Michael help set the table for dinner, and Martin says grace before they eat. Every Tuesday, they go horseback riding. They do chores around the house — cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming, mopping, and tidying up their rooms — on Wednesdays. On Fridays, they end the week by going bowling.
The structure of their week provides the housemates with a sense of comfort and familiarity. They know what they will be doing each day and what is expected of them. With comfort comes growth. The security of knowing their routine provides confidence to do tasks and activities independently. All four men can complete household chores and do activities at home with little to no staff assistance.
This independence at home has transferred to other areas of their lives. Ari, Martin, and Michael all work at Wawa, where they stock coolers, collect trash, and help clean the stores. David works at NJACP and St. George Greek Orthodox Church, assisting with cleaning.
Direct Support Professional Fatmata Musa works at Blue Devil and on job sites with Martin and Michael. She sees firsthand how much pride they put into keeping their house clean and how that same work ethic is carried over to their jobs. “They’re enthusiastic about what they do, at home and at work,” said Fatmata. “They’re motivated, and you can count on them to get the job done.”
While the weeks are structured, the weekends are for adventures. This month, the men will enjoy a trip to Grounds for Sculpture, art classes, and hands-on educational programs at Howell Living History Farm. Staff ensure the men get opportunities to participate in a variety of activities, so they are always experiencing something new. If they love a trip or activity, it may just become the next beloved tradition for the Blue Devil housemates.
Support Blue Devil House and all the men and women in our residential program with a gift to our spring appeal. Your gift can help create new traditions at Blue Devil. Learn more and make your gift here.
