Organization: BETHESDA LUTHERAN COMMUNITIES INC
Mission: SEE SCHEDULE O.
Activities: BETHESDA PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY, INNOVATIVE SERVICES FOR NEARLY 1,500 PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACROSS 13 STATES. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE PERSON AND PROMOTE THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. BETHESDA PROVIDES SAFE AND LOVING HOMES, INCLUDING TRADITIONAL GROUP HOMES, WITH CARE PROVIDED BY DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BY ANCOR FOR THEIR DEDICATION. BETHESDA IS GROWING ITS HOST HOME/FAMILY LIVING HOME OPERATIONS, WHICH MATCH AN INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE OR FAMILY WITH A PERSON WHO HAS A DISABILITY. A NEW RESIDENTIAL CONCEPT, BETHESDA CORNERSTONE VILLAGE, RECENTLY OPENED IN MINNESOTA AND IS EXPANDING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. CORNERSTONE VILLAGE IS AN APARTMENT COMMUNITY THAT WELCOMES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OTHERS OF ALL ABILITIES, BUILT WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO ENABLE INDEPENDENT LIVING AND OFFERING ONSITE PROGRAMMING TO HELP PEOPLE STAY ACTIVE AND FEEL INCLUDED. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PREPARE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO ATTAIN AND HOLD A MEANINGFUL JOB, AND THESE SERVICES TAKE MANY FORMS, INCLUDING COACHING BY BETHESDA STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. IN COLLABORATION WITH CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN, BETHESDA OFFERS A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM, BETHESDA COLLEGE, THAT OFFERS LIFE, EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING SKILLS. FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH A LOVED ONE'S BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES, BETHESDA OFFERS THERAPISTS THROUGH ITS BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND SOLUTIONS. FINANCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH BETHESDA ALLOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE RESOURCES TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE FINANCIAL OUTCOMES. BETHESDA OPERATES AN INNOVATION LAB IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, WHICH SERVES AS A TECHNOLOGY HUB THAT BRINGS TOGETHER INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS, TO CREATE AND REFINE INNOVATE SOLUTIONS TO PROMOTE SAFETY, SECURITY AND INDEPENDENCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. AS A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION, BETHESDA PROVIDES DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES, DISABILITY AWARENESS MATERIALS, AND ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION PIECES TO INDIVIDUALS AND CONGREGATIONS. BETHESDA RELIES ON AN ACTIVE CORPS OF VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING THE 3,000 MEMBERS OF THE BETHESDA AUXILIARY, TO EXTEND ITS REACH. BETHESDA OPERATES 13 THRIFT SHOPS IN SIX STATES THAT GENERATE REVENUE TO HELP SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE STORES, STAFFED BY EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS, PROVIDE AFFORDABLE SHOPPING OPTIONS TO FAMILIES AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES.
NTEE category: Human Services
Secondary category: Voluntary Health Associations & Medical Disciplines