Creating state-of-the-art housing for people with special needs.

Our Vision for Riley’s Residence

Build a state-of-the-art housing development that will provide both long-term and short-term housing options for individuals with special needs. Together, we will create a nurturing and empowering community where everyone is seen, valued, and celebrated.

Amenities and Opportunities

Our residents will have access to a range of amenities, including a salon where they can enjoy hair and nail services, fostering a sense of self-care and dignity. We also plan to provide internship opportunities for individuals interested in healthcare and special education development, helping to build the next generation of skilled professionals in this field. Additionally, we will provide counseling services for both caregivers and families, recognizing the importance of mental and emotional support for everyone involved in our community.  

Get Involved

We need your help to make Riley’s Residence a reality. Your donations will directly contribute to building our state-of-the-art development and providing top-notch care and services. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to our goal. We invite you to get involved in any way you can, whether through financial support, volunteering, or spreading the word about our mission.

A young boy with a disability sitting in a wheelchair and smiling, with a smiling woman standing behind him.

Our Resident-Focused Mentorship Program

At Riley’s Residence, caregiving goes far beyond meeting daily needs. Our philosophy is simple: every individual living with IDD deserves the opportunity to grow, belong, and become the fullest expression of who they were created to be. That’s why our mentorship program is designed not only to train our caregivers but to empower them to mentor our residents in meaningful, life-changing ways.

Caregivers Who Mentor, Not Just Support

Every staff member at Riley’s Residence will be trained to be more than a caregiver, they are mentors, encouragers, and champions of potential. Through our certification and mentorship program, caregivers learn how to:

  • Build trust-centered relationships

  • Identify strengths, talents, and interests in each resident

  • Foster independence and personal growth

  • Teach life skills with patience and dignity

  • Encourage confidence and self-expression

  • Create opportunities for social connection and meaningful engagement

  • Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small

Our goal is to lift every resident up, not by doing everything for them, but by empowering them to discover what they can do

Care and Support

At Riley’s Residence, excellence in care starts with excellence in training. We are committed to raising the standard of IDD caregiving nationwide and that begins with empowering the caregivers we hire. Every team member will go through a comprehensive certification and mentorship program designed to build confidence, deepen compassion, and ensure world-class care for every resident and family we serve.

Certification That Builds Skill & Confidence

Our caregivers will complete a structured certification program that includes:

  • In-depth training on intellectual and developmental disabilities

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Communication and behavioral support strategies

  • Medical, safety, and emergency response training

  • Family-centered care principles

  • Dignity-first support methods

  • Sensory and mobility assistance

  • Real-world scenario practice

This certification ensures each caregiver is fully equipped, not just to “do the job,” but to truly understand, support, and uplift the individuals in their care.

Guiding Residents to Their Full Potential

The mentorship model allows residents to experience:

  • Greater independence through skill-building

  • Boosted self-esteem by being seen, heard, and valued

  • Consistent emotional support from someone who understands them

  • Opportunities to explore interests like art, music, hobbies, or work skills

  • A sense of purpose and belonging within their community

  • Safe, guided challenges that help them grow

  • Stable relationships built on compassion and consistency

Whether it’s learning how to cook a simple meal, managing daily tasks, navigating social situations, or discovering new passions—our caregivers walk beside each resident every step of the way.

Creating a Culture of Possibility

Riley’s Residence is built on the belief that everyone no matter their ability holds incredible potential. Our staff will be trained to recognize that potential and nurture it through patient guidance, hands-on support, and unconditional encouragement.

This mentorship model does more than care for our residents.
It empowers them.
It builds confidence.
It breaks generational barriers.
And it helps each individual step into the fullest, richest version of their life.

🎙️ When life threw every challenge imaginable, Lonnie Levitt Barker chose love, grit, and relentless advocacy. From NICU to cancer wards to special needs parenting, hear her unforgettable journey of faith, heartbreak, and hope.

Ring in the New Year With Us!

Join us for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Courtyard Marriott in Meridian!

Enjoy a Taste of Italy dinner, live DJ, dancing, a champagne toast, and an optional Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament benefiting Riley’s Residence.

It’s the perfect way to welcome 2026 while supporting an incredible cause.

👉 Purchase Your Tickets Here

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🥂

Thank you to our sponsors!

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A woman with long black hair wearing a brown North Face baseball cap and a beige hoodie, smiling and taking a selfie with a young man with short dark hair and light skin, sitting on a beige sofa, in a room with a tiled wall in the background.