Alexander Jenkins, also known as “AJ” by his friends, came to Fayette Resources in 1989 from Selinsgrove Institution. For several years, AJ moved from one group to another within Fayette Resources, seeming to want to find the right home. AJ, who was born and raised in West Philadelphia, always talked about his family but he never heard from them again after he was moved to Selinsgrove. Erik Morris, Director of Residential Services, who once worked direct care, had gotten to know AJ and one day, he asked AJ if he would like to live with him and his family. AJ, without hesitation, said “yes.” It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since that first morning when he entered Erik’s bedroom, started tickling his feet and asking Erik to make him pancakes!
Lifesharing with Erik and his family has been the key to AJ’s happiness and contentment. He loves meeting people and asking them questions. As he has an excellent memory, AJ will remember the names of former staff, their children and what color car they drive. He “collects” pictures
of people and won’t hesitate to ask you for one. He doesn’t mind having his picture taken as long as he gets a copy of it. Erik makes sure that AJ is involved in the community. He loves going out to eat, especially to Eat n’ Park. He also loves going to picnics and cookouts, going to the movies, shopping for clothes and trips to the beach. He loves getting mail and will wait faithfully for the mailman. ALL of the neighbors know AJ; he likes to wave at cars as they drive by his house. He is thrilled when people blow their horns and wave back to him. People have walked up to Erik and AJ in the store and say “I always wave at AJ when he’s outside.” And this makes AJ smile.
AJ enjoys going to local dances. He really likes dancing with the blonde college girls when he goes to activities at California University of Pennsylvania. He will tell you after dancing “I was really getting down.” AJ, who recently turned 63, loves to get presents. On his birthday, he will invite as many people as can fit in a room to insure that he will get as many presents as possible.
Erik will tell you that AJ has watched his kids grow up and has become a very important part of his family. Smiling, Erik said “I guess I realized that when he started referring to me as “E” instead of Erik.”
