Welcome House History
In 1972 the Steudel family had a vision — to build a group home for their son Bill, an individual with IDD, and his friends. To make that vision a reality, the Steudels established the West Haven Foundation that same year, eventually opening its first group home in Westlake in 1981. As the organization grew and evolved, Welcome House, Inc. was created in 1994 to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities while West Haven focused its mission on raising funds to ensure the longevity of the foundation.
Today, Welcome House has a staff of 300 dedicated caregivers who provide direct support services to more than 200 individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities living in group homes or supported living sites in Cuyahoga County, as well as to many others living in family homes. Over the last 50 years, West Haven & Welcome House have developed a variety of residential and community-based programs and services dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.
We believe the Steudels would be proud of the legacy they left. Bill Steudel lived at Welcome House from the time the first group home opened in 1981 until his death in 2011. He lived with his friends, with the music he loved, and among people who gave him the respect he deserved. Welcome House continues to develop new solutions for families like the Steudels — families who want their loved ones to live independent and rewarding lives.
As Welcome House looks to the future, we do so with the Steudels’ vision guiding us.
