No matter what level of care someone receives, we want them to feel at home with Mainstay.

Whether it is feeling comfortable in the community, at their place of work or at events with their friends, it’s important that they can call Mainstay a home and safe haven. And through our Lifesharing program, people in our community are providing homes and changing lives. Just take a look at the impact it’s had on Karrie and Maryann.

Karrie Schindler has provided Home and Community Habilitation to Maryann since 2013. The two have worked well together since they met and Karrie has supported Maryann as she engages in the community, builds friendships and makes progress toward her personal goals. But in early 2019, Karrie had the opportunity to impact Maryann’s life in a much bigger way.

After Maryann’s mother passed away in December 2018, she went to live with some family members in Florida. One cold Friday night in January of 2019, Maryann found herself at the Pittsburgh airport and didn’t know what to do. She called Karrie — someone she could count on.

Karrie was out the door and on her way to the airport before they even hung up the phone. Karrie and her family welcomed Maryann for the night with open arms, and shortly thereafter decided to become Lifesharing providers, opening their home for Maryann to live with them as part of their family.

Since living with Karrie and her family, Maryann has flourished and gained confidence. The support and love of a warm and welcoming home has had a huge impact on both Maryann and Karrie’s lives forever.