Community Connections Programs
Community Connections offers Day Programs services for adults with developmental disabilities weekdays from 9:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. This group-based program offers a wide variety of recreation all while promoting individual choice. In Community Connections, we have four areas of focus, and we will enjoy activities that fall under these categories. These pastimes have been specially chosen because they are fun, educational and will have a positive impact on the overall life of each person.
Community Connections Goals
Skill Building
One of the goals of our Community Connections program is to give participants the opportunity to build on the skills they already have. Development of these skills in turn helps them find success in other areas of their lives. For example, one young man had the opportunity to improve his hand-eye coordination and multi-tasking skills through crafts and volunteering activities, which helped him feel more confident at home when it came to cooking and cleaning around his house.
Volunteerism
Service to others in the community is an important component of the Community Connection program. Individuals supported are active in other organizations throughout our community. They work at the Food Bank, help with Meals on Wheels, partner with organizations like Voluntary Action Center and Coyote Hill through collecting and delivering donations. In addition to the benefits to the community, many of those who participate benefit from improved vocational skills. For example, as one young woman improved her multi-tasking skills through these volunteering activities, she found it helped her be more successful during her job hunt.
Inclusion
Above all else, the goal of the Community Connections program is to collectively work toward inclusion. Through every visit to the ice cream parlor, tour of a fire station or business, and volunteer activity, the individuals supported in this program are changing the way community members view adults with developmental disabilities. They are building rapport with business owners, making new friends and building lasting relationships in their churches and at the gym.
This program is designed to be “without walls” so that everyone has the chance to be active throughout Columbia and Mid-Missouri. They are becoming regulars at a wide variety of local businesses and trying out new places every week.
While Woodhaven and our Community Connections Coordinator work very hard to build and foster relationships with local businesses, secondary and higher education institutions and other not-for-profit organizations, our goal is ultimately for these community partners to see the individuals they interact with not as “those guys from Woodhaven,” but as Gary who loves hot chocolate; John who likes working with the high school students; and Jenny who delivers meals every Wednesday. Whenever possible, the staff members work on helping the individual develop natural supports within the community.
Individual Choice
Within the Community Connections program, participants break into pairs and of like-minded friends. The pair, along with their support staff decide together how to spend their time. We embrace this model because it allows each person to have more control over their day and because we know that everything is infinitely more fun when you do it with a friend.
Participants play a major role in designing the calendar of activities for each month. The first week of every month, they meet as a group to discuss the activities that have been planned. During this meeting they can sign up for the activities they are interested in and voice their concerns about activities they aren’t. They also offer suggestions about what should be planned for next month to the Community Connections Coordinator, who is responsible for taking their suggestions and ideas and making them happen.
An individual does not have to be supported in our Community Living program to be a part of the Community Connections program.
Please contact our Director of Health Services and Community Connections, Jeff Kitch with any questions, ideas or if you are interested in volunteering or partnering with us. He can be reached via email or at (573) 876-7338.
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