Judy Starkey loves living on her own in what she calls her "new house," though she's lived there for 10 years. The 52-year-old woman lives with two other women, all of whom are mentally challenged. Her mother, Edna Starkey, 77, of Bethel Park, visits the home in South Park on weekends. "She likes me to beep the horn when I drop her off," Ms. Starkey said.

Judy Starkey and 51 other mentally challenged adults are able to live with assistance in residential homes scattered throughout communities in the South Hills, thanks to Southwinds, a nonprofit agency founded 25 years ago.

At 6 p.m. on April 12, Southwinds will celebrate the anniversary milestone with a gala at LeMont Restaurant in Mount Washington. KDKA-TV news anchor Ken Rice will be master of ceremonies for the gala, which features a silent auction and live music from Cellofourte.

Organizers expect 225 to attend and hope to raise money for upgrades to handicapped-accessible homes being built for their residents.

Nine founding members are expected to speak at the event, including Edna Starkey, who will receive the organization's first lifetime achievement award.

"It's been a privilege to serve for an agency that has come so far," she said.

The mission of Southwinds is to provide residences for developmentally disabled adults in the community while providing access to programs and services that enhance their independence and quality of life.

Southwinds was founded by 15 concerned parents in 1983. "They had the vision and determination to give their children independence," said Julie Boyce, public relations specialist at Southwinds.

Ms. Starkey, one of those founders, recalls meeting the others at a workshop and discovering a shared need. "We all had sons or daughters who were mentally challenged, and Judy had started to express to me that she wanted her own apartment. I was just shocked," she said.

Ms. Starkey discovered she was not alone, as other parents shared similar conversations they were having with their developmentally disabled adult children. "We said, 'We can't be around forever.' So maybe we should let them get used to being on their own," she said.

They developed the Southwinds concept to place the individuals in small groups in the community with qualified staff, rather than in large institutions. The agency began purchasing single-family type homes, beginning with three in 1983. Over the years, that number has increased to 14 homes located in Baldwin, Bethel Park, Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair. There are 52 total residents ages 23 to 80.

Three or four adults live in each house. When they are at home, a staff member is always on duty to assist them. All of the residents attend some type of program or work during the day.

Southwinds staff transports residents to and from day programs, medical appointments and recreational trips.

Southwinds has begun building two new homes in South Park. These homes, zoned C-1, are handicapped accessible, featuring wider doors, lower counters and wheelchair accessible showers.

Ms. Boyce notes that 30 percent of Southwinds residents are over the age of 40. "Health factors become an issue as they age," she said. The C-1 homes will allow eight of the most "medically fragile" residents to remain in the community for as long as possible, she said. Southwinds hopes to add more of these types of homes in the future.

Kristie Reid-Bozicevich picks up her sister, Deana Reid, 49, at her Southwinds home in Mt. Lebanon once a week for Special Olympics practices. "I coach Deana in basketball, soccer and track and field."

Deana Reid has been living independently with the help of Southwinds for 20 years, said her sister. "These individuals deserve the same independence as others."

Ms. Reid-Bozicevich said that many disabled adults have parents who are getting old and can't take care of them.

Deana's father is deceased, and her mother is 88 years old. "It gives families the security of knowing that if something happens to the rest of the family, the individual is taken care of," Ms. Reid-Bozicevich said.

Southwinds relies on a combination of federal and county funding. The homes are financed and built by Residential Resources Inc. with the help of federal grants. Upon completion, Residential Resources Inc. rents the properties to Southwinds for use by the residents, who in turn pay rent.

Southwinds began a fund-raising campaign in 2006 with a goal of $100,000 for upgrades to the homes, including elevators, fire sprinklers and exterior porches. Ms. Boyce said proceeds from the gala could help reach that goal.

Ms. Starkey believes Southwinds has grown into a great organization with qualified staff that helps her daughter live independently. "At this stage of the game, at my age, I wouldn't be able to do it. [Judy's] got a life. She feels important. She has a home to go to, and she's as proud as she can be."

For more, call 724-941-7600 or visit southwindsinc.org.