The Friends Network

 

Here are some of the many ways that The Friends Network is helping people with disabilities live fulfilling, meaningful, successful lives:

Programs for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

  • Adult Day-habilitation: Adult day program run Monday-Friday from 9:30am - 2:00pm. Adults are taught a variety of life skills such as cooking and baking, grocery shopping, banking and budgeting, laundry, cleaning, gardening, and computer skills. They are given the opportunity to volunteer in their community, to go on educational and recreational field trips, and are offered lessons in personal hygiene, fitness, creative and business writing, crafts and hobbies, and more. This is a unique, person-centered day-hab offering a maximum of individual choice.
  • Monthly Meetings: A dinner meeting is held monthly for socializing and planning group activities.
  • After each member completes their duties, they are awarded a FRIENDS NETWORK pin at a special ceremony scheduled at one of the monthly meetings.
  • Drama Club: We have put on productions with Mahopac High School students and with the Brewster Theater Company. In October 2009, in conjunction with our art show/talent contest, we are planning to stage our own one-act play, written by member Mike Condreras, at the Putnam Independent Living Services office in Carmel.
  • Garden Club: Most recently, we built our own vegetable garden beds at The Friends Network for members to care for and harvest throughout the Summer and Fall seasons.
  • Book Club: Meets every 6 to 8 weeks at the Mahopac Library, for book discussions led by a librarian.
  • Bowling League: Meets every Wednesday evening at Carmel Bowl on Old Route 6 from Fall through Spring.
  • Social Outings: Social events are scheduled throughout the year, e.g.: movies, dancing, mini golf, live theatrical performances, museums, baseball games, etc.
  • Overnight Trips: One major trip a year, overnight for several days: 2003 – Florida; 2004 – Boston; 2005 – Washington, DC; 2006 – Cancun, Mexico; 2007 – cruise to Bermuda; 2008 – Montego Bay, Jamaica; 2009 – Villa Roma Resort, Catskills.
  • Movie Club: Meets once a month at local theaters.
  • Life Skill Programs: Classes in money management, cooking, safety, personal hygiene and health, etc.
  • Involvement in the Community: Members participate in community service projects and volunteer work

Programs for Children with Developmental Disabilities

Called "PALS" ("Play and Learning Sessions") this program was started in 2003 as a pilot project, and is growing rapidly:

  • After-School Program: PALS meets 5 days a week from 2:30-6:00pm providing recreation and respite. Working with professionals trained in child development, children engage in games, stories, craft projects, and other activities that help facilitate teamwork and cooperative play .
  • Summer Program: Beginning in 2009, PALS will run throughout the summer on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 3:00 - 6:00pm, and for the last two weeks of August from 9:30am – 2:30pm.
  • Programs for Teens with Developmental Disabilities: Beginning in Summer 2009, the teen program will meet three afternoons a week (Tue., Weds., Thurs.) in July and August for community events, bowling clinics, and basketball clinics. The teen group will also have summer camp for the last two weeks in August from 9:30am - 2:30pm.