CHAC opens new group home

The groundskeeper for Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities no longer will venture far when he heads to work each morning.

Instead, Michael Niesan simply will get ready and step outside. Niesen officially moved in to Community Haven's newest group home, called Jacquelyn's House, Wednesday, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Michael's mother, Jacquelyn, who died in August 2012, and her husband, Jim, funded the new group home on Community Haven's property.

"We didn't know where (Michael) would end up (after we no longer could care for him)," said Jim Niesan, 83. "We found this (place, Community Haven). This is it."

The couple agreed to fund the construction of a new group home — CHAC's fourth co-ed residential facility for disabled adults. It houses nine clients and one house parent.

"This is as close as you can get to a home atmosphere," Jim Niesan said. "This is a wonderful place."

For a complete story, see the June 27 issue of the East County Observer.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].