LANGLEY RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES

This year, Langley Residential Support Services (LRSS) marks its 20th anniversary of serving adults with mental retardation in Fairfax County, their families and the community by providing quality, comprehensive residential and community support services that will enable these adults to live valued, productive lives. LRSS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serves adults (ages 18 years and older), with mental retardation residing in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, or Falls Church, Virginia and who are eligible to receive services through the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board.

In the early 1980s, members of Trinity United Methodist Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, and Immanuel Presbyterian Church, working with the Fairfax County Community Services’ Board (CSB), mobilized community volunteers under the “Private/Public” scheme to establish a group home to address the urgent, unmet community need for both residential facilities and professional counseling and services to serve these young adults with mental retardation. The Langley Nonprofit Housing Development Corporation was chartered by the Commonwealth. Langley’s first group home (known as the Melrose Group Home) began housing five women in November 1985. A second home (Junior League Group Home) welcomed three men and two women in April of1989.

The needs of the residents of the homes changed as they acquired more independent living skills. With the assistance of the CSB, Langley opened its first Supported Residential Program (SRP) in December of 1991. It served four women, two of whom were graduates of a Langley group home. Langley’s second SRP home (three men), opened in December 1992. In December 1993, Langley further expanded its services and established the Community Support Program: a drop-in program serving the needs of consumers who live: on their own, in their family’s home, assisted living centers, even homeless shelters.

In June 1997, Langley’s Board of Directors voted to change the name of the nonprofit organization to Langley Residential Support Services (LRSS). In 2000, Langley’s administrative offices have expanded; satellite office in Springfield opened, allowing LRSS to serve consumers on the Route 1 corridor. Consumers use the facility to practice their cooking and laundry skills.

LRSS impacts consumer’s lives by helping each live more independently; develop an integrated presence in the community, improve self-esteem, support physical and emotional needs and develop an individual lifestyle.