(l-r) George Wilkes, Margie, and Colleen Wilkes. The Wilkes have been Life Sharing providers for Step By Step for the past 19 years!

Open your Heart and Home. Become a Life Sharing Provider.

You’ve probably heard of foster care services, where adults take in children in need of a home.

But what you may not be familiar with is a similar service that originated in Pennsylvania in 1982, called Life Sharing.

Life Sharing is a service where every day households open their homes to adults with intellectual disabilities.

Life Sharing provides adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to become part of a family, offering an ongoing sense of belonging, as well as day-to-day care. Life Sharing is an alternative to the community home service option.

A local nonprofit, Step By Step, is asking community members to consider opening their hearts and homes through their Life Sharing program.

Colleen and George Wilkes of Susquehanna did just that.

In 2003, the Wilkes family temporarily opened their home to Margie, an adult with intellectual disabilities. However, when it was time for Margie to leave, the Wilkes family's 11-year-old son, Georgie, refused.

“Margie is a Wilkes now. She is family, she’s one of us,” said their son.

The Wilkes family then discovered the benefits of a permanent placement through Step By Step’s Life Sharing program. 19 years later, Margie has lived happily with the Wilkes ever since.

Today, the family continues to take care of Margie in their home, and Margie provides a joy in the Wilkes' lives that cannot be reduced to words. Their bond is truly unique and special. Their love radiates through every word and embrace. It is clear; relationships are what make life worth living.

The Wilkes family urges others to consider sharing their lives through the program.

A Life Sharing sponsor can be a single adult, a couple, or a family unit, supporting up to two individuals in their home. Both non-biological and biological family members are eligible for the Life Sharing program and the stipend for care that it provides.

Individuals who become a licensed Life Sharing sponsor receive a tax-free stipend to help offset costs, starting at $2,850 for licensed homes.

Sandy Reina, Vacancy Coordina​tor at Step By Step shared: “Life Sharing is a wonderful program which unites adults with an intellectual disability and families. It gives people a family that may have never had one. Each family, individual and support staff have gained so much from the Life Sharing program. We invite you to increase your family by becoming part of ours.”

For more information, contact Sandy Reina at (570) 829-3477 ext. 7416 or visit StepByStepUSA.com

Step By Step, Inc., is a private, non-profit corporation devoted to the provision of community support services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental health diagnoses, autism, and physical disabilities.

Established in 1977, the agency today provides services to over 2,000 individuals across Pennsylvania.