Center of Family Love began 40th year celebrating first resident and future plans – Oklahoman.com

Espinosa said just as Pauline has grown and evolved over the years, so have other residents who have called the center home. She said the center was created to help individuals living with developmental disabilities live life to the fullest.

"I think Pauline is just the epitome of what all of our residents are," she said.

"What inspires them? To live a life full of joy."

Years filled with growth, learning

The Oklahoma Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service order, envisioned the Center of Family Love as a place where adults with developmental disabilities could live, learn and thrive.

Espinosa said center leaders, working with others in the community, developed programs and activities to make the Knights' dreams come to fruition. Along the way, the leaders learned a lot from residents like Pauline.

Espinosa said some of them were born before schools offered classes for children with special special needs. However, like everyone else, they wanted to learn new things, interact with others and be part of a community. They deserved that, and that's what is offered at the center.

"As a society, we've learned so much about the developmentally disabled. While focusing on their physical needs, we're going from nursing care to educational life experiences, learning a foreign language, learning to play an instrument, learning culinary skills and learning sign language," Espinosa said.

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Center of Family Love began 40th year celebrating first resident and future plans - Oklahoman.com