We believe that meaningful work is the most therapeutic activity of all. We are committed to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also referred to as cognitive disabilities or mental retardation) find and keep meaningful work. Whenever possible, work should occur in competitive environments where people with disabilities work alongside their non-disabled counterparts and compete with them for jobs. Sheltered workshops are a viable alternative for some individuals with disabilities when competitive employment is not possible. Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, however, do not enjoy working in workshops. In these cases, meaningful volunteer work activities may be their best option. Our mobile volunteer work teams within each of our adult divisions provide these volunteer opportunities.

PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT

Our mobile volunteer work teams provide meaningful volunteer work experiences to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are not yet ready to work in competitive environments and who choose not to work in workshops.

VOLUNTEER WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Each mobile volunteer work crew develops a wide variety of volunteer activities in the community. These include without limitation:

• Delivering “Meals on Wheels”
• Cleaning parks and other public areas
• Completing mailings for not-for-profit agencies

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Participation in the mobile volunteer work crew provides a wide variety of opportunities to help others in the community. It generates a feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie among participants. Members of the mobile volunteer work crew also have the opportunity to develop friendships with individuals in the community who they would otherwise not meet. Finally, members of the mobile volunteer work crew regularly receive public recognition for their efforts and contribution to the community.

Agency Vocational programs provide paid work training experience through sub-contract work in a sheltered workshop environment. Individuals who receive work-training experiences in the sheltered workshop are compensated for their work based upon Federal and State laws and guidelines. Training focuses on development of discrimination, sorting, labeling, packaging, assembly, and general motor skills. In addition, therapeutic techniques are used to develop appropriate work habits and traits. Program focus areas include communications, appropriate work behaviors, attention span development, self-motivation skills, and ability to follow directions. For individuals with behaviors that interfere with their development of work skills, behavior-shaping plans are developed to substitute more adaptive behaviors for less adaptive ones.