I founded Adelfos in August of 2018. Adelfos is a support coordination agency, which means that we provide case management for people with intellectual disabilities who have received ongoing funds from the State of Utah's Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD). Adelfos is contracted with DSPD to provide this service, and Adelfos support coordinators help arrange needed services, provide face to face visits, maintain the person's State and Federally funded budget, oversee eligibility, and provide information and resources to individuals with disabilities and their families.
Adelfos is much more to me than just a name. It is the Greek work for "brother", which has a double meaning for me. First off, I started this business with the help of my brother-in-law Chase Dalton. Secondly, Adelfos's mantra is to look after each client the same way a protective older brother would. I have always been fascinated by the Greek language and culture. I wanted my company name to portray my deep commitment to providing a meaningful and significant service for my clients, and in the same way a lot of English words are rooted in Greek words, my day to day work is rooted in this deep commitment to support and empower my clients.
What makes Adelfos stand apart from other similar companies in Utah is that we focus on being involved, available, and helpful to our clients in the moment, and in the long term. I recently had a conversation with someone who has worked with one of my clients and they said that they "didn't want to get attached". I offered my opinion that in this line of work, "getting attached" is how I know I am doing things right. If I am detached and aloof with my work, and try to avoid having empathy and connection with the people I work with then to me there is no purpose or drive behind what I do. This is what I mean when I say that your family is our family on my website. I studied psychology as an undergrad, and as a field there is a general disregard for the idea of agency, or the ability to choose. This rubbed me the wrong way, and strengthened my resolve in being an advocate for agency. From when I just started working with people with disabilities, I have been passionate about being engaged and involved in their lives and being an advocate for their agency. I have seen first-hand people choose to transform their lives with this kind of support, and feel much more fulfilled than just going through the motions. Instead of encouraging my clients that comfort is the ideal in life, I encourage them to follow their dreams and make the choices that will lead them there.