06/01/2022
Can't believe it was twenty five years ago that our dream came true. I will never forget, with Mark's 100% support, walking into the bank. Mark was working at the coal mine at that time.I spoke with Amir Sancher, president of the bank. I told him about my dream of opening a group home for adults with disabilities. He thought I was crazy. That being said, he gave me a me a loan, because he believed in my idea and supported me. We will never forget Amir, and will be forever grateful to him.
We opened our first group home on June 1st, 1997. We felt as parents if we want it done like we wanted we must open a business of our own. We were the first parents in the state of Wyoming to do such a task.
It wasn't easy, we have had our ups and downs, like with any business. But we made it work and here we are 25 years later. Not with one group home but, three wonderful group homes, and a day program for adults with disabilities. We have so many memories, we have lost loves ones, the hardest part is losing someone you love and have cared for so many years. They truly do become family to us. We are so proud of our organization and the employees we have seen come and go. We recently lost a member of the SDI family. An employee Beth Welper, she was with us for 22 years, recently passed away. She is missed deeply by us all.
We are so happy and proud that we have employees that have been with SDI for 5, 6 8, 9 and 10 years. They are the most amazing ladies and give all our "guys" the best care. The "guys" are respected and treated like family. That has been our purpose and goal for 25 years. All SDI employees and the "guys" make SDI what it is today. We all try our best to ensure all persons served are treated like family, with total respect for each one of them.
Mark and myself have been the most blessed people ever. We have no regrets for what we have built. We are just proud and would love to see another 25 years. We were also blessed with with raising two sons with disabilities, we are so proud of them both. Life has been good to us and we want life to be good to all the people we serve along with each and every one of our employees.
We would not have been successful without so many people supporting us. First, the people we serve, the guardians and family members, our own family support, the Division of Developmental Disabilities for all their support and advice through our 25 years and the community of Gillette.
We want to mention three ladies that have have been with us at such young ages and have made Sol Domus their careers and have made Sol Domus the success it is today. We will be forever grateful to, Jessica Rodell, Julie Koerper, and Shauna Lumbardy. These three ladies have been with us 23 and 24 years.
I also want to mention a few others that we could never be without. Praire Rose Whiteface, Chelsea Edwards, Shena Vandom, Krystal Vandom & Kathy Lopata. Along with all SDI employees! No "I" in teamwork! Always remember that.
25 years, wow! And some said we would never make it, but look at us now!
Happy Anniversary to all!
Mark and Janet Potts
