Miami Group Home Provides Active Environment for Residents

The Castanedes Group Home in Miami keeps an eventful schedule, providing residents with many opportunities for social engagement and activities. Two residents, Maximilliano Jaitt and Jamie Schear, are taking full advantage of opportunities to participate and expand their skills and knowledge.

Jaitt and Schear have developmental disabilities and receive services through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Jaitt enjoys working out, keeping up with current news, and is always in the know for community activities. He participates in all social activities at Castanedes, such as Zumba, board games, and cooking classes. Jaitt is part of the de Moya Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to creating employment opportunities for young adults with unique abilities, and is hoping to get a job in the community. He is also active in the Special Olympics and practices every Sunday. Jaitt took first place in bocce ball and attended the Key West competition earlier in the year.

Schear is currently employed at a mortgage company where she works two days a week. She is creative, social, and outgoing, going the extra mile in setting personal goals. Schear enjoys participating in the Special Olympics, dancing, eating out, working out daily, and swimming in the on-site pool. One of Schear’s personal goals is to be a news reporter and she is currently taking steps to make that dream a reality.


Residents of Castanedes Group Home pose for a photo at the Special Olympics.


Maximilliono Jaitt, with some guidance, prepares a tasty dish during a cooking class at Castanedes Group Home.


Jamie Schear (right) with one of the Castanedas Group Home owners, Iliana Castaneda.