On April 15, our Day Habilitation Program celebrated a milestone: the opening of our new Without Walls program in Brooklyn.
The center is embedded within the Vital Brookdale complex, which is home to Supportive Housing units for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as well as young adults who are aging out of foster care. This convenient arrangement allows those enrolled in Day Habilitation to further integrate into an already full, cohesive community – and creates more opportunities for connection.
The program is off to a strong start, already supporting 27 people since the program opened earlier this year and looking forward to engaging more members of our community to enroll in services. The move increases overall program capacity and features an added computer lab for those working to secure employment.
Other amenities include a lounge area, a gym with a basketball hoop and lockers, several rooms that can be used for meetings and activities, a kitchen, and a laundry area. There truly is something for everybody; the facility was intentionally designed to provide opportunities for those in the program to further develop their unique interests and skills.
Staff and program participants from across The Foundling attended the event to celebrate our new space and new opportunities for the people we support. The environment was truly festive and communal, which is indicative of the efforts staff dedicate to the well-being of those in the program.
The program itself was crafted with the purpose of creating a place where OPWDD-eligible adults could pursue their aspirations while being surrounded by a strong network of peers, supportive staff, and community members. Day Habilitation Without Walls encourages attendees to learn through immersive experiences in their neighborhoods. Participants spend their days engaged in classes, art therapy, recreational activities, sports, job hunting, and more. All of these activities help prepare those we support to better integrate into the surrounding community as they grow.
A common goal for those in Day Habilitation is to obtain employment or volunteer opportunities – which provide a sense of independence that many are looking for. In fact, the amount of autonomy and freedom given to attendees – whether in goal setting or day-to-day activities – is one of the most commonly cited benefits by those we support.
“I like to be independent,” said Antoine, one of our Day Habilitation members. “It’s fun.” He mentioned how much he enjoys being able to go out shopping or take the train.
Staff members are committed to serving as a resource, without undermining participants’ sense of self.
We implement a person-centered approach for the people we support,” stated Henry Gaston, a Day Habilitation Manager at our Herzl and Queens locations. “When a person expresses interest in developing a particular skill set, we strive to align them with opportunities that provide practical, hands-on experience, tailored to their specific learning goals and interests.”
Similar sentiments echoed by staff and participants alike reflect the heart of The Foundling’s work – which is to respond holistically to the needs of children, adults, and families we support as they work to reach their full potential.
