Description
Weekly volunteer-run Sunday class tailored for Special Needs attendees ages 13 and up.
This 2 hour Sunday drop-in classoffers teens and adults with disabilities a once week specialized class that is both interactive and visual to encourage them with peer learning, music, dialogue and personal sharing time. We are committed to helping Special Needs attendees establish friendship, inclusion, advocacy and development. This allowable time for families and care providers lifts burdens and countenance in their relational dynamics alleviating stress and granting respite to provider (family or group home) Free
Weekly volunteer-run Sunday time for families and friends to gather together to encourages and support Special Needs attendees (persons) as they have an opportunity to share their gifts, talents and excel at their level. This 1 ½ our time is used to network Special Needs families to other Special Needs families for encouragement plus provide ongoing spiritual, emotional and community support. This ends isolation and disconnectedness of persons with disabilities and their families. Free
Made 4 a Purpose is a weekday (4 days a week, 20+ hours) volunteer-run Special Needs Day Class. Classes provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn, socialize, develop independent and life skills and increase community involvement. We are geared toward offering a variety of fun and challenging experiences on a daily basis. We focus on the individual while increasing social, group and team participation. We increase our community's ability to accept and include people with simple human differences creating a welcoming environment where all can participate and reach their full potential. Each person is valued and affirmed as an individual and supported to express and develop their uniqueness.
We include the following methods and curriculum in teaching:
Music: vocal, instruments, rhythm and creative art expression
Reading and Comprehension: daily reading at an individual level with stress free time allocations, along with Life Application with Study Worksheets
Application and Life Skills: thru their shared personal struggles and challenges, we offer discussion topics i.e. making good choices, practical day to day challenges, loneliness, spiritual challenges, friendships, relationships, health, goals, personal vision, and death.
Vocational Training: partnering with local businesses and non-profits, Special Needs attendees are able to learn basic vocational training and work ethics while supervised and directed at their level and pace.
Vocational Training is done at Round Table Pizza in Santa Clara/ Stevens Creek. Each student is trained in a variety of positions that enhances their job training and skills. Attendees understand that coming in to train is very important and that it is our goal to do our best job because that reflects their character and their integrity. Jobs such as stocking can, folding towels, wiping tables, filling napkins, blowing helium balloons for the lobby and picking up trash from the parking lot are all done with pride and joy.
Computers (laptops) for Large print reading ONLINE books, Computer programming skills, excel and word documents for typing practice, internet social media, you tube video uploads of themselves and email
Through these weekly classes we alleviate isolation for people with physical and/or developmental disabilities to improve mobility, promote inclusion and enrich the community. Free
Pillar Club is a 4 hour weekly club that is designed to provide support to at-risk teens and young adults through encouragement, accountability and high moral standard living. Pillar Club has worked with18 students since its inception and has been able to work at educational, life, spiritual, psychological and vocational skills via weekly/ daily mentorship program, weekly club, weekly spiritual enhancement, volunteerism and vocational training. The clubs meetings are started with a home cooked meal, encouraging the attendees to fellowship as family, share the week with school progress and have a safe environment.
The weekly club provides an environment that challenges and supports an atmosphere free from drugs, sex, alcohol, wrong music and negative attitude. A huge emphasis has been made to set a standard to return and complete high school (and or attain G.E.D.), attend college, university and/or training programs, attain responsible work and continue to community service.
• ENCOURAGEMENT
We discuss weekly developments from teens about their home, family environment, friendships, school and vocation. We read books of encouragement based on high moral living standards and consequences for not living to full potential. Team discussion and/or private time is scheduled for one-to-one meetings
•ACCOUNTABILITY
We discuss weekly developments from teens about education and practical steps to assist with completion of Independent Studies, transition into regular and/or Alternative school and Adult Education. Assist with and/or locate any available resources. We discuss weekly developments from teens about vocation and practical steps to assist with completion of resumes, work applications, work permits, job fairs. Provide assistance (when needed) for transportation to educational and vocational settings.
• HIGH MORAL STANDARD LIVING
Based on each individual, we give support in an informal setting, during a meal. We discuss life choices, family interactions and their responsibilities to family settings, friendships and relationships and their outlook, visions and goals. (mentorship)
• SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL
To develop Social and Recreational Skills, we visit many places such as: National Hispanic University, Other Teen Social Clubs, City of San Jose Disability Awareness Day, AMC Movies, Social Community Dances, Bowling at Homestead Lanes, Great America and Winter Wonderland.
We encourage teens to attempt new things, share and express their experiences and to and pursue any calling they wish. Free
Pillar Service Club is a 2 hour volunteer opportunity that places teens as buddies and/or helpers to individuals with disabilities in student teaching and life application position. As a buddy, they form a new perspective of their own circumstances and life choices while serving and guiding friends with a Special Needs (the blind, those that cannot talk or walk) Literally, these teens become hands and feet to their disabled peers, while their lives are being impacted and changed via their service thru an empathy experience and have formed tangible friendships in class with a compassion for the disabled. Free
For the person who is Blind: a buddy is taught to assist a person to and from accessible transportation, interact and teach using sound, touch and taste, assist with meals such as; feeding, opening meals/drinks and wiping and cleaning hands and face.
For the Person who is in a Wheelchair: a buddy is taught to assist a person with a disability to and from accessible transportation, interact and teach with student with limited mobility, assist with meals such as; feeding, opening meals/drinks and wiping and cleaning hands and face.
Person with Autism (non-verbal) : a buddy is taught to assist a person with a disability and receive student from parents, guardians and/or group homes, interact and teach using DVD’s, assist with meals such as; feeding, opening meals/drinks and wiping and cleaning hands and face.
