Living community for adults with autism slated to open in Pickens County

The Mary Sunshine House is expected to open in July 2023

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CENTRAL, S.C. —

A new living community for adults with autism is slated to open this summer in Pickens County.

The Mary Sunshine House is expected to open in July, according to Executive Director Brian Vickers.

“Our focus is that there’s a need and a crisis in this nation, and we want to help those families who are wondering where is our child going to go, where’s a place for them to live, especially those parents who are getting a little older and they are just afraid of where their child’s future is going to be,” Vickers said. “We’ve got a home for them here at Mary Sunshine House.”

The new community is in Central near Southern Wesleyan University. According to Vickers, there are 10 unfurnished units. Each unit has two bedrooms and one bathroom and also includes a kitchen, living room area and washer and dryer.

Vickers said residents will also have access to amenities at the University and at the nonprofit’s main administration building nearby. He said the administration building will offer a space for residents to socialize with other residents and do different activities like cooking, watching movies, and getting help finding a job if they are interested. He said it will be staffed day and night.

“It’s just a place where people come along side by side being the best versions of themselves so they can be who they are meant to be, and Mary Sunshine House is that place where you can say you’re home,” Vickers said.

Residents will pay rent. Vickers said they are accepting applications and also looking for staff. For more information, visit marysunshinehouse.org.