Happy 40th Birthday Champion House!

On April 8, 1983 Champion House opened its doors to eight residents. Celebrate this milestone anniversary with us.

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Join DAHLIA Living in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Champion House! On April 8th, 1983, we opened the doors of our first home. Champion House is home to 8 differently-abled adults who receive 24/7 support. Of those 8 residents, 4 have called Champion House home since it opened in 1983. 

At this time, DAHLIA Living operated under the name Helping Hands for the Disabled, as named by founder ​Barbara Barger. Barb started DAHLIA Living out of love for her daughter, Beth, who required 24-hour care. Beth had few acceptable living options at the time, and Barb petitioned the State of Washington for funds to open a group home. No such home existed in 1983, and since then, Champion House’s success paved the way for DAHLIA Living to open 3 additional homes to support 24 residents today.

Wendy Peloquin, President of the DAHLIA Living Board of Directors shared about the history of Champion House, explaining, “the opening of Champion House was the result of a mother who wanted the best for her daughter. And while Barb left us in 2020, her heart still lives on in the residents and staff of Champion House and all of DAHLIA Living. I am tremendously proud to be part of such a wonderful organization and look forward to seeing Champion House thrive for decades more to come.”

DAHLIA stands for Differently-Abled Home & Life Innovative Alternatives, and Champion House pioneered putting our mission to action. Champion House is not only home to DAHLIA Living residents, but the staff and caretakers who support them as well. Eva Robinson, an essential team member, has been part of DAHLIA Living since the year before Champion House opened. Throughout the years, she played a key role in the home’s success providing day-to-day care, doing house maintenance, and everything in between. 

The DAHLIA Board had a blast singing carols and delighting residents at Champion House, December 2022

What makes Champion House outstanding is the people, the residents and the team that supports them. Without the people, the house would not be a home. Cheers to 40 years of residential services for differently-abled adults!
If you’re interested in supporting the residents of Champion House, our Give Big event is coming up soon on May 2nd and 3rd. Don’t miss your chance to make an impact!