By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorTake a tour of Kaja’s bedroom and you’ll quickly learn she loves the color purple.Her bedspread is purple. Her clock is purple. Even her clothes hamper is a shade of her favorite color.Kaja, a longtime Emmaus Homes resident, has a lot to like about living in her new home in Wright City.The three-bedroom, two-bath ranch home offers a much larger residence for Kaja and her roommate, Jennifer, compared to other residential settings they were accustomed to in the past. In addition, both are able to work if they choose — Kaja is employed three days a week at TEMCO — and participates in social outings and activities that are planned by Emmaus staff members.“All the clients who make the transition are super proud in their homes,” said Lisa Drier, executive director of the Emmaus Resident Trust Foundation. “They show it off and invite family and friends over. There is a real sense of pride and ownership.“We take pride in the fact that anyone could drive into a neighborhood and not determine what is the Emmaus home. We look just like everybody else.”The community home Kaja and Jennifer reside in is similar to others Emmaus leases from investors to house a large majority of their residents. More of Emmaus’ residents will be following suit.The Emmaus Board of Directors recently upheld its decision made in May to close the Marthasville campus and relocate residents to group homes in nearby communities by 2020. Currently, around 75 residents live on the Marthasville campus.Emmaus provides 24-hour residential and other services to more than 200 adults with developmental disabilities. It is one of the largest providers in the state.Despite opposition from a large group against the campus closure, Emmaus officials have been touting the positives and benefits of the transition to community homes. They recalled how one resident was in hospice care, but after her move to a community home, she was soon going on shopping trips.“We wholeheartedly believe everybody can be successful in a community,” said Hailey Kintz, Emmaus marketing manager. “It goes back to your staffing ratio. People have a lot of fear, but actually there’s more one-on-one interaction.”Emmaus has dozens of community homes in the region and has been utilizing them for 30 years, according to officials. The Wright City home Kaja and Jennifer reside in is the lone one in Warren County, though a second home in Marthasville will be ready soon. In Franklin County, Emmaus leases one residence in Washington. The homes are made accessible to fit the residents’ needs.As part of the transition, Emmaus officials are meeting with parents and guardians to assist with pairing them with roommates who have similar interests. The discussion also involves input on the possible geographical location of a community home and what staff members they would prefer to work with. Staff members also have the ability to work at certain homes as well, officials noted.“We talk to families and they have to decide what is most important, is it geography or is it the staff,” said Laura Davis, director of client services. “It’s really sitting down and having the conversation.“It’s sort of like a puzzle.”Each residence is overseen by a home manager who supervises three shifts of personnel. More staffing is added based on the needs of the residents.“The transition does not happen overnight,” Kintz said. “It is such a well-thought-out process. The No. 1 priority is our clients’ needs.”Since moving into the home in Wright City in the past year, Emmaus staffers have seen a difference in Kaja and Jennifer’s personality. They are more outspoken and don’t feel so isolated.“They are more confident and more outgoing,” said Liz McBroom, home manager.The new home is just that — home.“Me and (Jennifer) are getting real close together,” Kaja said. “We’re becoming best friends.”

Kaja, a resident of Emmaus Homes, shows off pictures displayed in her room. Kaja has transitioned to a community home in Wright City which she shares with another Emmaus resident.  Missourian Photo.