Donor Dollars Already At Work
Capital Improvements
Apartments: A Home within a Home
With the support of private donors, we have created a welcoming apartment within our Yonkers residence. This “home within a home” promotes independence and peer interactions and enables people to experience the same rewards of group living as any other set of roommates who share living space. The new apartment is a quiet retreat for people who, with assistive technology devices, can turn lights on and off, play music, and use basic kitchen equipment to prepare snacks and simple meals, all in a private, family-like space.
Family Room
When Sam became ill, his family wanted to be with him as much as possible in his few remaining months. We didn’t have an appropriate space for Sam and his family to spend this kind of time together during this difficult period. That meant being together wherever they could – in the common dining room, lobby or any other place they could that could accommodate family members and Sam and his wheelchair. Sam’s dilemma convinced us to create additional and appealing space where Sam could spend extensive time with his family.
As a result, we reorganized the Yonkers building and created a welcoming, easily accessible Family Room. Private donors completely funded the renovation of this inviting space, pleasantly decorated with couches, chairs, and attractive artwork. The Family Room is now an integral part of our Yonkers home, used as a private and comfortable setting for families to visit a loved one; meet with social workers to discuss progress and plans, discuss medical issues with Richmond physicians, nurses and therapists; or say good-bye to a loved one in failing health.
Community Building, Recreational Enhancements
When Julius left camp after a week of summer fun, he cried profusely, and refused to get out of the van after the long drive home. He really wanted to go back to camp. He had had such a wonderful time – meeting new people, enjoying the freedom of gliding across the lake in a sailboat, and inhaling the fresh scent of a pine forest. We helped him through that adjustment we all hate (ending a good vacation) by promising him we would find the funds to send him back to camp the next summer. Donor dollars are enabling us to keep that promise. Our goal is to provide a week’s summer vacation or camp experience for as many individuals as possible each year. Truly, these are magical, transformative experiences.
Donor dollars also provide a way for the people we support to join a wide variety of activities other community members regularly enjoy – like outings to parks, pools, gyms, museums, movies, sporting events, concerts, school plays and restaurants. Donor gifts also make it possible for people to participate in programs that have therapeutic benefits and that have been adapted for people with developmental disabilities, like adaptive skiing, therapeutic horseback riding, community sports leagues or a dance class for people in wheelchairs.
The people we support enjoy playing on our adaptive pinball table, competing in video game contests, doing volunteer work, and meeting people and neighbors from the community.
After school, work or on weekends, the people we support look forward to art, music, movement and massage therapy sessions, haircuts and styling, and visiting with family and friends. These sessions never fail to elicit smiles. “The music therapist brings drums, feathers and many other props to stimulate and engage the senses,” according to director of recreation and volunteers, Elyse Allbee. “Everyone has so much fun,” she added. “Music therapy is one of the best things we do.”
MOVE™ began as a pilot program in 2002 thanks to the generosity of individuals and corporations in our community. But now, thanks to a successful application to new State’s program, Opportunities for People Through Services, MOVE™ will receive funds to support this program through 2010. MOVE™ is an innovative national program that teaches people with significant developmental disabilities to sit, stand and walk. This program greatly enhances a person’s ability to move on his or her own, through the use of adaptive equipment and intensive one-on-one instruction. We are proud to be a part of this national program which enhances people’s dignity as it improves the quality of life in such a significant way.
Donor contributions are at the heart of our community building and recreational enhancement programs.