About Us

The founder and CEO of Key Living Options is Cathy H. Key.

Cathy began volunteering in the field of Developmental Disabilities when she was very young and realized this was her vocation.With a degree in Social Work from Florida State University, Cathy began her career at Blue Ridge Behavioral H in 1982. This work convinced her of the need for residential care and support for individuals with DD to achieve their unique potentials and have optimal quality of life. 

So in 2001 Cathy returned to school at Hollins University and completed a Masters degree, studying the nature of Care and Caregiving in human relationships. With a partner she created a company in 2005, and then her own, Key Living Options, in 2007. 

Cathy has committed her own efforts, expertise, and experience to making KLO the client centered business that it is today. Cathy's unwavering approach to the work is to provide the best support possible to both KLO residents, and their caregivers. 
She leads by modeling and encouraging thoughtful and "care-ful" attention to the details of everyday life that make up the organization and ongoing program development. 

Born in the Panama Canal Zone, Cathy grew up in a military family and had the opportunity to travel and experience diverse cultures. Her favorite was Hawaii where she became a lifelong lover of swimming. Water is her happy place! 

But Virginia is where she is settled, with her husband and two sons, grandchildren, and pets. 

KLO reflects and realizes Cathy's passion and high standards. Many of the individual residents are folks Cathy has known for many years, as social worker, case manager, and family friend of their parents and siblings. 

Going forward, Cathy is gratified by the continuity and commitment of her partners in leadership, Daniel Key and Sarah Shires. Their vision and energy assure the stability and vitality of KLO.

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Jeremy has been working with KLO since 2007. He loves working with our guys and ladies, and ultimately seeing a smile on their faces. Jeremy started out working in the houses as a DSP, and ultimately ended up working his way up to his administrative position. Jeremy is very committed to both the staff and the individuals. Jeremy grew up in Atlanta, GA, and moved to Roanoke, VA when he was in middle school. He attended and graduated from Bluefield University, and also played baseball for the school. In his spare time, he enjoys both coaching baseball, as well as watching his son play sports.

I am Sarah Shires, Chief Services Officer at Key Living Options.  I have been employed with the agency since they opened in October 2007.  Prior to that I was with another company for a year that was co-operated by Cathy Key, the CEO now of Key Living Options.  I started out as a Residential Counselor, working with the individuals everyday in their homes. I did day to day activities and routines, assisting individuals in pursuing a fulfilling life.  I was promoted to Senior Counselor two years later.  The Senior Counselor position entailed working in the houses, role modeling for our staff and individuals in the day to day routines, and making sure all needs were meant.  
The most enjoyable part of the job is assisting the staff and individuals shopping and attending the dances and parties in the community.  The outcome of how everyone looks and the success is spectacular!  My current position, Director of Residential Support Services started for me in August of 2012.  I am very busy supervising all our staff and staying on top of the most important things, making sure the individuals get what they need and want out of lie.  I love my job at KLO as it gives me room to grow and learn new things every day.  My job is very important because I make a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve every day and that is the best feeling in the world.

Nicole has been working with KLO since 2016. She has worked both as a DSP and most recently as our office manager. She loves working with our individuals, and is committed to playing her part in seeing them succeed in every way possible. She was born in Laurel, Maryland, but was raised in Craig County, VA. She graduated from Craig County High School. She has five children, that keep her very busy! But when she’s not busy working or being a mom, she loves to tend to her plants and gardening. She is often referred to as “the crazy plant lady!”

Ashlyn has been working for KLO since March of 2019. She started as a DSP in the houses, moved to our front office manager position for 2 years, before ultimately landing in her current position in Human Resources. Ashlyn graduated from Liberty University with her degree in Criminal Justice, but after working for KLO, decided that her calling was to work with the ID/DD community. She loves how spiritually rewarding this job is. She finds that no amount of money compares to the amount of love and joy she experiences with our individuals. She has five children, which keep her very busy! She enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, beach trips, water parks, and making her children laugh.

Lorenda has worked for KLO since the early part of 2020. She loves working with the ID/DD community and she very much enjoys her job. She loves giving back to others and observing others give back to the community. Lorenda has 19 years of experience with being a DSP, and her motto is: “I do what I love and I love what I do!” Lorenda was born and raised in Roanoke, and is the proud mother of one daughter and one grandson. Her hobbies are shopping, traveling, spending time with family and being involved with church activities. Making a daily difference in the lives of the individuals we serve is the ultimate goal for Lorenda, and hoping to build solid, strong and long-lasting relationships with them!