Gatehouse Program

The Gatehouse Transitional Living Program is a transitional residential program for young adults ages 18 and older. This supervised and structured living environment empowers young people with disabilities by teaching them the skills they need to make the move from living at home with their families to living in the least restrictive community setting.

Through the Ann Hill Life Skills Program, Gatehouse residents prepare for adult life and future success by developing personal goals and learning self-care skills necessary to live independently. They learn how to cook, do their own laundry, manage a household budget, develop job skills, search for employment and a place to live, develop social skills, take care of their health, further their education and enjoy recreational activities in a supportive setting away from home.

The Gatehouse Program is a premiere model unique to this region and the United States. Both the program and its residence were established by the Spina Bifida Association of Western PA in 1991 to promote full community participation, including employment, education and service opportunities, for young adults with spina bifida and other disabilities.

The SBAWP collaborates with other greater Pittsburgh area agencies to provide personal care services through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for young adults participating in the Gatehouse Program.

The Gatehouse can accommodate up to 13 young adults at a time. Individuals stay at the Gatehouse anywhere from six months to two years or more, depending on their educational and employment objectives. The Gatehouse facility is totally accessible and contains all the amenities of home, including a fully equipped kitchen laundry room, dining room, study area with computers and a living room.