SARASOTA – Sarasota Resident Ronda Jannelli used to work in retail management and hired a man with disabilities named Michael.
“He had worked for me for about four or five months, and he called one day and his job coach called and said he had lost his mom in the middle of the night, and I had to take him off the schedule for a while because they weren’t sure where he was going to go and be placed,” Jannelli said.
Michael, unable to care for himself, was facing eviction.
“I called my husband and let him know about it, and he never even skipped a beat. He said, ‘Well you’re gonna go get him on your way home from work right?'” Jannelli said.
Ronda and her husband Christian took Michael in, and he was instantly part of the Jannelli family.
“With that we saw the need that there is in this community and this area for people with disabilities,” Ronda said. “There’s no housing out there for them.”
So they did some research, to get their business license and make sure they met other state requirements.
They found a home and created Our Peaceful Living.
“It’s to help keep independence for the adults, and the residents to know that it’s a home atmosphere, and it’s not so much like a facility,” Christian Jannelli said.
The couple helps residents live their lives and get involved in the community, taking them to do things like run everyday errands and go to the beach.
“People are just so receptive; they really do wanna help; they’ve got good hearts,” Christian said.
Attorney Carl Reynolds of Carl Reynolds Law gave Our Peaceful Living ‘A Helping Hand.’
“Our firm likes to help those who cant help themselves,” Reynolds said. “It’s a really noble thing you’re doing.”
Though it sits on a busy street, the Janellis feel their Sarasota Group Home couldn’t feel more peaceful.
“Love is unconditional,” Christian said. “I think anybody would really do this. It’s just being human, truly how we should treat each other.”
The Our Peaceful Living group home can host six residents. The organization is looking for volunteers. To learn more, click here.
