Our March Friday Forum featured a discussion on Innovative Flexible Day Services and we invited representatives from three of our area service providers to share information about their creative, community-based programs.
Speaking first was Emily Fencl, Director of Day Services at Clearbrook, who talked a bit about the overall direction of day services in the state followed by a presentation about the Clearbrook CHOICE program. CHOICE focuses on a person-centered, person-directed approach to services that includes volunteering, social and leisure activities, employment opportunities for those who are interested, and community integration. CHOICE believes that by empowering clients to become involved in their local community, they flourish as individuals, business people and neighbors. CHOICE has sites in Crystal Lake, Park Ridge and Evanston. https://www.clearbrook.org
Jess Bonnot, Reach Lead Instructor, and Elise de Roulet, Reach Program Supervisor, then provided an overview of the REACH adult day program at the Center for Enriched Living in Riverwoods. REACH provides the opportunity to learn, make new friends and succeed while having meaningful experiences throughout the day. With an emphasis on community, REACH participants spend a majority of their time out and about where they volunteer, develop work skills and pursue social and recreational activities. Participants can choose which days of the week that they want to attend with full-day or half-day options. https://www.centerforenrichedliving.org
Finally, NWSRA’s Andrea Griffin, Superintendent of Recreation; Liz Thomas, Adult Day Program Coordinator; JoAnn Snyder, Senior Manager of Special Recreation; and Trisha Palmieri, Adult Day Program Specialist; presented information about PURSUIT, a collaborative program presented by NWSRA and Clearbrook. PURSUIT is designed to meet the needs of adults with disabilities by creating recreation and leisure opportunities, improving health and wellness, teaching life skills, self advocacy, and community integration. Participants may attend 1-5 days per week with half-day options available. PURSUIT is located in Rolling Meadows; PURSUIT 2 will be opening in Hanover Park in May, 2017. http://www.nwsra.org
Thank you to all our speakers for sharing their time and expertise with our group. Video from this seminar is available for viewing on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cju9aqIosc
Educational Outreach events are offered in partnership with the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO) and are funded in part by community grants from Palatine Township and the Rotary Club of Palatine. Thank you for your support!
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