As 2025 comes to a close, many of us reflect on what we’ve accomplished and what has brought us joy.

December is known for bringing a wave of nostalgia as we reflect on our growth.

Gabriel Homes residents at the 30th Annual Golf Tournament held in September 2025. The fundraiser was marked as one of the most successful to date.

One of the best years to date.

Angie (left), a resident at Gabriel Homes, fondly looks back on the past 11 months, marking 2025 as one of her favorite and best years to date. Working at ECHO in Leesburg, Angie continues to impress her peers. Her supervisors specifically praise her for her attention to detail when washing dishes.

“I’ve been filling in for coworkers when they’ve been busy, and they appreciate the extra hands. Sometimes, bosses directly ask me for help, so I’m proud to be someone they can trust.”

At home, Angie has been a leader in doing housework.

She’s quick to clean after she eats and to take out the garbage before trash day. Her favorite meal she’s cooked this year has been the classic grilled cheese with tomato soup.

“Angie makes the home happier when she’s home. Sometimes when she has harder days, I try to be the one who cheers her up!”
Gabriel Homes residents at the Annual Golf Tournament.
Chris
Gabriel Homes Resident, Angie’s Housemate
Mike Holupka (second from right) and Gabriel Homes residents at the annual golf tournament.

Sundays have been Angie’s favorite day of the week this year.

She spends each week with friends at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church for Mass. Angie especially looks forward to the Adaptive Religious Education (ARE) program, led by her friends George Dellagiarino and Chris Brasco. ARE meets every two weeks to teach Gospel lessons and discuss their meanings with participants who have disabilities. Angie jokes she also loves the coffee at ARE sessions.

“Lately, we’ve talked about the feeding miracle, where Jesus fed lots of people with bread and fish.I’ve known George and Chris for quite a while. They’re nice and funny, and they make me proud to be Catholic.”

Gabriel Homes resident at the 2nd Annual Boo Bash.

Following 2025 as one of the best years to date:

Looking forward to 2026, Angie is excited to go out more and spend more time with her friends. She loves mingling with friends during pancake breakfasts at church and in their community, and she’s proud of being more social and active.

“Angie’s going out much more with friends and suggesting new places to visit,” says Naomi Pariona, a program coordinator at Gabriel Homes. “More than ever, she’s taking charge with her choices and taking pride in her independence.”

Gabriel Homes was founded on a then-radical idea that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, like Angie, could live independently.

Learn how our mission and vision become reality at gabrielhomes.org.

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