The Allies Day Habilitation team is championing community inclusion through a new day habilitation group that brings participants into the community all day, every day.
Termed the Community Connections group, this group is based out of the Green Brook Day Habilitation program. Each morning, instead of being picked up and dropped off at the day program, the group of seven explores the state.
“Instead of being confined to the setting of the day habilitation program, the community group is able to get services anywhere in the state,” Joe Gleason, Director of Vocational Services at Allies, Inc., said. “There are a lot of benefits, and it helps to make the programming we can offer very diverse.”
This new approach for Allies opens the door for a huge number of activities and opportunities that would not be open to participants who were based out of a standard brick-and-mortar location.
In the first few months of operation, the group has visited wildlife refuges and state parks that would not normally have been accessible if they were based out of a single location.
The programming works because, according to Beth Lopez, VP of Day Habilitaiton Services at Allies, the entire state is able to serve as program space where participants are able to be completely integrated into their community.
Programming begins the moment individuals are picked up from their homes in the morning and keeps participants engaged until they are dropped back off in the afternoon. In those middle hours, participants might fill time by visiting a Hindu temple and learning about religion, or volunteer with food banks and libraries within their community.
“We are providing more opportunities for individuals to experience community engagement, while also promoting independence,” Lopez said.
The program is not just a hit with organizers, either. Currently, there are seven every day participants in the program, and everyone who is involved enjoys the variety of programming.
“The individuals who participate see the group as a strong next step toward their increased independence,” Gleason said. “Many see it as a point of pride to be eligible to participate in this group.”
At its heart, the community connections program is a collaborative one. Every participant has an active voice in determining where the group will go for outings, and when there is a contentious decision to be made, everyone comes together to decide.
On the ground level, the staff who accompany the program every day are the ones who are responsible for the successes of the program.
“I want to give huge kudos to Joe and his entire team,” Lopez said. “We are tremendously lucky to have such dedicated and driven staff, including Frederick Montgomery, manager, and Patrick Cilbrith, vocational specialist.”
As the winter approaches, Community Connection staff are working out activities and ways for participants to enjoy the weather while remaining engaged with the community.
“I do think that in the next few years, we could see this style of programming continue to grow,” Gleason said.
