Window Wave

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Window Wave

Activity: In person - outdoors

COVID Restrictions: Masks not necessary if all volunteers are in the same pod! Otherwise, please wear a mask and observe social distancing.

Duration: 15 minutes - 1 hour. Flexible!

Age: Any and all!

Skills: Waving and smiling

Supplies: Yourself!

Who

CRi, Choice. Respect. independence. (formerly known as Community Residences, Inc.), is a community-based organization with a focused effort on providing people with developmental disabilities and/or mental health needs the resources, supports and services they need to live their lives with purpose, actively engaged in communities of their choosing. CRi’s mission fully supports a person’s ability to exercise control of their life’s choices, and to live in and contribute to communities of their choosing, as young adults through aging in place. We believe in serving individuals within the communities in which they live & supporting the individual’s choices and independence.

Why?

With COVID changing the way we all interact with the world, we’ve had to adjust our routines, implement coping mechanisms, and find new strategies to connect with our loved ones. We have turned to Zoom and the internet to retain connections. However, these are not options for some CRi residents who don’t engage with screens. Some residents haven’t seen their loved ones in a year and have had to relearn who they are. Some have lost their guardians and no longer have anyone to visit them. For some, making a friend who will visit them regularly and show an investment in their lives is the goal.

Project Description

While COVID still restricts interaction, a 15-30 minute visit from a friendly face could make all the difference. We call it a "Window Wave", where volunteers can visit residents in person and offer a warm smile through a window - an in-person Zoom. Volunteers can draw signs to communicate with residents, play games like tic tac toe on the glass with washable markers, read a picture book, put on a stick figure play, make funny faces, host a dance party, or anything that comes to mind!

CRi has group homes throughout Northern Virginia that would love some love.

How?

Don’t know how to get started? Don’t worry! We will work with you to find a home near you and let you know about the interests and personalities of the residents and help brainstorm ideas.