Mar 29, 2022

United Helpers Enhancing Residential Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

HEUVELTON – The vacant Individual Residential Alternative (IRA), located on the Irish Settlement Road in Heuvelton will soon be reopening its doors as two, six-bedroom IRAs.

Renovations at the property, which has been used periodically as a quarantine site during the COVID-19 pandemic, began earlier this month and are scheduled to be completed by mid-summer.

“Each home will have its own entrance, kitchen, dining area, and six single bedrooms,” said United Helpers Director of Buildings and Grounds Rick Pirie. “The homes will share a common gathering that includes another full kitchen, with that space being used for parties, meetings, educational events, and other large gatherings.”

United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills Director of Residential Services Colleen Aldridge said the opening of the new house will allow increased flexibility both for staffing and residential placements.

“This is being done to better serve our community and to meet the needs for people with developmental disabilities and their families,” she said. “Our leadership team is currently working on a plan for allocating these new beds, as well as a plan for any restructuring that may take place.”

United Helpers currently operates 10 IRAs which employ 260 people and provide residential services to nearly 50 individuals with developmental disabilities across St. Lawrence County.

For more information on Behavioral Health and Life Skills or any of United Helpers programs, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org.


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