When Easter Seals Hawai'i officials were deciding where to relocate the group's Honolulu-based adult day health services program in the mid-1990s, they took a hard look at where their clients lived.

"We did a ZIP code survey and we found out very easily that almost all of our clients lived in West O'ahu and we were subjecting them to coming into town on two, two and one-half hour rides on the Handi-Van," said John Howell, Easter Seals Hawai'i president and chief executive officer.

The program found a new home in two plantation-era managers houses in 'Ewa Villages that Easter Seals was able to lease from the city for $1 a year.

The 'Ewa Adult Day Health Program on Renton Road is celebrating its 10th anniversary this fall.

Howell noted that on the other side of the equation, the program was able to gather and maintain a stable and happy work staff of 18 made up primarily of West O'ahu residents.

"Quality of life (for clients and employees) just went off the charts," Howell said. "It's been a win-win for everybody."

About 50 adults with developmental disabilities are served out of the 'Ewa facility.

Anastasia Keller-Collins, Easter Seals assistant vice president of community-based services, said the program is not a babysitting service for adults.

"It's really a day program that is concentrated on community engagement that increases independence and self-sufficiency for people," Keller-Collins said. "They come for the day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. But for the most part, most of the groups meet there and they're out and doing things in the community."

Some volunteer at preschools, churches or senior centers, she said. One group is being paid to sort and box cookies for a Waialua bakery.

This weekend also marks the eighth annual Easter Seals Haunted House at the day center.

Staff and clients take part in transforming one of the two buildings into a haunted house, the other into a Halloween-themed fun area with a mini-carnival and child-friendly games, activities and prizes, said Michelle Kane, director for the 'Ewa facility. Proceeds go to finance programs at the facility.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.