Kwame Ricks lives at the Laurel Place house in San Rafael with five other housemates. It just so happened that almost simultaneously, Amy Chun moved in and they are now a couple. Kwame grew up in Oakland with his father James Rick and his mother, Sonia Waters. He graduated from Terra Nova High School in 2005 and also attended the College of Marin. He has two sisters, one in Paris and one in New Jersey.

He is very musical and has a keyboard in his room. He can hear songs on the radio and play them on the piano. He also plays music at his day program at Alchemia with one of the staff, Eli. Kwame likes rock and is fond of Michael Jackson. Kwame saw “This is It”, the movie about Michael Jackson on his birthday. I suggested to Kwame that he might want to play at the next Lifehouse holiday party. He said he would think about it but currently does not know any holiday songs.

Like many of our clients, Kwame is involved in a number of activities. He attends the Friday night dances at Corte Madera Recreation Center, swims at Rolling Hills Club and bowls. He enjoys watching football, Sponge Bob and Arthur. The latter two programs he watches with House Manager’s Denise McKean’s son Noah. Denise has been at Laurel Place since 1995 and her son Noah, and now daughter Abbey, consider the clients part of their family. Kwame is currently learning how to add and subtract. He does this with his counselor using play money. He is also learning how to cook and eat healthy foods and to do laundry. When the weather allows, you can find Laurel Place combing the Farmers Market held each Thursday evening in downtown San Rafael.

Kwame and Amy have date nights. Amy likes to take walks and they also go to the movies. They are planning to watch the Superbowl at Amy’s house. They are looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day together. Julia Garcia, staff at Laurel Place describes Kwame as “friendly, sociable and funny.” I definitely agree with that!