Organization: Friends Life Community
Mission: To create the opportunity for teenagers and adults with disabilities to develop socially, grow personally, and enjoy community as they experience life together.
Activities: Arts - Clients learn self-expression, advocacy, confidence, and life skills through visual and performing arts. The Visual Arts program hosted an art show with original works of art by the Friends. The Performing Arts program has a traveling Tandem Troupe group that has written, directed and performed their original plays.
Life Skills-FLC prioritizes skill-building activities and sculpts its daily schedule to include routines that require Friends clients to practice important social, independent, and communication skills daily. At the end of 2018, 35 individuals were participating in the day program. Clients practice these skills in classes that allow them to practice appropriate skills, such as Power Skills where clients participate in simulated stations that replicate settings they face independently in the community and at home. Additional life skills programs include Coaching and Social Club. Coaching is a one-to-one service designed to enhance skill development for individuals in specific areas of need. Social Club allows clients to build skills required to have an active social life with peers.
Service Learning - FLC coordinates with local nonprofits to give clients the opportunity to build employment skills, social skills and independence through volunteer work. As they serve the community and strengthen their abilities, they also educate the community in their strengths and have a positive influence in changing the expectations of their community members.
NTEE category: Human Services
Secondary category: Recreation & Sports