A.J. Duran rolled up to her stove to cook an egg. Being in a wheelchair, the burners were much too high. No problem in her new home. She pressed a button, and the frying pan lowered to her level. She asked Alexa to play her favorite song while she cooked. When she was done, another button press brought the sink to just the right height for washing up.
All of it—the convenience, the comfort, the independence—was made possible by a new smart home developed by Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE) in partnership with the Town of Brookhaven.
The home, located in Shirley, is part of the organization’s newest Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA), called Pinetop. The ribbon-cutting ceremony held this week marked the culmination of a five-year vision that combines cutting-edge smart technology with universal design principles to help residents with developmental disabilities live as independently as possible.
“This project is so special since it’s hard to find housing in general, especially with the technology to help people do what many take for granted,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, one of the local leaders who joined FREE and supporters at the grand opening.
“This is an amazing opportunity for these residents,” added Brookhaven Councilwoman Karen Dunne-Kesnig. “It’s great to have this in our community.”
At the heart of the home’s impact is how it transforms everyday tasks into manageable—and even enjoyable—activities. For Duran, that means controlling the kitchen with the touch of a button or a simple voice command. Using Wi-Fi–enabled smart plugs and devices connected to Amazon Alexa, she can adjust the height of her appliances, choose her music, control TV programs, open the blinds, and turn on the lights.
“It’s amazing,” Duran said while demonstrating her kitchen routine. “I just say what I need, and it happens. It’s not just easier—it makes me feel like I have control.”
That autonomy is the driving force behind FREE’s approach to supported housing. Nicole Ramos, Senior Vice President of Housing Services, delivered heartfelt remarks at the ribbon cutting, emphasizing that the Pinetop home is more than a building—it’s a symbol of what’s possible.
“This is a space built on vision, technology, and purpose, and it’s a bold step forward in what it truly means to support people in leading independent, fulfilling lives,” Ramos said. “Today, it stands not only as a model of innovation, with smart technology and accessible design but also as a testament to what’s possible when we dream big and deliver with intention.”
The home’s high-tech features also include a side-opening oven and Bluetooth-enabled systems that power the refrigerator, stove exhaust, and lights. Each resident has a personalized smart plug setup, giving them voice control over their daily environment. The window blinds can be raised and lowered with a word.
“This home is already transforming lives,” Ramos said. “The persons supported who live here aren’t just excited—they’re empowered.”
The project took five years of planning, design, and collaboration. Ramos thanked a long list of partners, including architects, contractors, maintenance and landscape teams, Brookhaven officials, and state representatives.
None of this, she said, would be possible without the leadership of FREE’s co-presidents, Dr. Chris Long and Robert Budd, and the support of Brookhaven Town, including Supervisor Panico and staff.
“Pinetop is proof that when we come together—with the right purpose, the right tools, and the right people—we don’t just meet expectations, we exceed them,” Ramos said. “Let this be the energy we carry forward—to help those we support reach high and achieve more.”
As A.J. Duran rolled out of the kitchen, music still playing in the background, the promise of a more independent, empowered life was already unfolding—one voice command at a time.