A Family’s First Steps with Alora
From first hello to move-in day: how Alora welcomes families into shared living.
Every new beginning starts with a moment of connection.
Sometimes it’s a quick conversation at a community event. Sometimes it’s a call from a service coordinator who says, “I think I found something that might work.” And sometimes it’s a quiet message through our website, sent late at night by a family just trying to find the right next step.
However it starts, our goal is always the same: help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities find a home that feels like home—with people who feel like theirs.
So what happens after that first hello? Here’s what the family onboarding process looks like at Alora.
Step 1: The First Hello
Our first point of contact might come in a few different forms. Maybe you met someone from our team at an event. Maybe you heard about us through a friend, or maybe your service coordinator lets you know we have an opening that could be a good fit.
No matter how you find us, we take the time to listen first. What are you looking for? What’s working—and what’s not? Who is this person you’re advocating for, and what kind of life do they want to build?
Step 2: The Admissions Interview
Once a family expresses interest, we schedule a thoughtful admissions interview. This isn’t a questionnaire or checklist. It’s a conversation.
We want to understand the individual’s preferences, needs, hopes, routines, comforts, and goals. We ask about how they like to spend their time, what makes them feel safe, and what kind of environment feels most like home.
It’s not just about care—it’s about fit. And that only comes from getting to know someone as a whole person.
Step 3: Finding the Right Match
After the interview, our team sits down and does the quiet work of match-building.
We go through our network of Shared Living Providers and think deeply about who might align with the person’s preferences. Maybe it’s someone who also loves animals or quiet mornings. Maybe it’s a home with a big backyard, or one near a bus stop so someone can keep getting to their job.
We narrow it down to a few potential matches and share those profiles with the individual and their family. It’s collaborative, not prescriptive. We want families to feel empowered and informed every step of the way.
Step 4: Getting to Know Each Other
If a host provider profile stands out, we don’t jump straight into a move-in. We arrange Match Meetups—casual, no-pressure visits in the community or at the provider’s home.
This gives both sides a chance to see what the connection feels like in real life. Sometimes it clicks right away. Sometimes it takes a few tries. We’re never in a rush. Shared living only works when it’s mutual.
Families can ask questions, explore the space, meet pets, sit at the kitchen table. It’s about building comfort and trust, not checking boxes.
Step 5: The Match—and the Move
When everyone feels good about the connection, we move forward with the match.
From there, our team handles the onboarding process—working with the provider, coordinating with case managers, taking care of paperwork and logistics. Families don’t need to chase forms or manage timelines. We’ve got that covered.
What they can do instead is help their loved one prepare for a new chapter. That might mean picking out bedsheets. Or figuring out how to bring familiar routines into a new space. Or just making space for the possibility of a new kind of belonging.
This is what belonging can look like
No two journeys are the same. But every time a family reaches out, we meet them where they are—with patience, curiosity, and care.
Because a good match doesn’t just change a living situation. It creates room for growth, connection, and joy.
Come on in.
