From Dream to Reality
In February 1983, a group of parents of children with disabilities gathered at the home of Dr. Enrique Kauffman. Their goal was to create an organization that would provide their adult children with independence and support while being inclusive of their Jewish heritage. Their common dream was to establish a place that would fulfill this vision, and so, Halom House, Inc. was born.
Halom means dream in Hebrew. For the parents who envisioned this organization, Halom House was to be a dream come true. Their dream became reality because of the devotion and skills of a many individuals and organizations in the community. By April 1983, Dick Weiland, Rhoda Mayerson, and Madelin Hertzman had committed themselves to assisting the group.
During that summer, Halom House established a board of directors and an advisory board who worked vigorously throughout the remainder of the year. In 1984, Halom House, Inc. became a nonprofit agency and acquired a four-family apartment building in the Roselawn community on Section Road. With the support of Dick Weiland, The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, and community donations of supplies, renovation on the building began.
Through the tireless work of Ann Zeff and Dick Weiland, public officials started to support the project and Halom House was approved to offer residential support to eight individuals within their group home. With a dedicated staff led by Susan Petry, Halom House opened the home in June of 1985 and by the end of 1989, Halom House housed eight residents and counseling services were put in place to support both parents and prospective residents
The Dream Expands
When the developmental disabilities system underwent significant changes in the early 1990s around philosophy and programming, and particularly regarding residential service – Halom House adapted to better support individuals.
In addition to the group home model, Halom House began providing residential support to individuals in their own homes. They now provide 24-hour assistance to several individuals through a service delivery approach called Supportive Living.
In February 2007, Halom House relocated its group home and administrative offices to a new facility and its current location in the city of Blue Ash.
The construction of the new home was made possible through generous donations and a grant from the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. The group home stands as a tribute to the long-term board members and founders, including Dick Weiland, Ann Zeff, and Mort Zeff.
Halom House is fully committed and dedicated to its clients, families, and mission. Halom House clients live happy, independent, and productive lives, and their parents are reassured knowing their children have a secure future.
The Dream Continues…