Three Directions
Three Directions, an innovative program offering individually designed services for adults of all ages seeking retirement activity, volunteerism and/or paid employment. In partnership with Walker Methodist Residences, we are able to give persons with developmental disabilities opportunities to interface with elders in Walker's long-term care and assisted living programs in ways that can enrich the lives of both.
Who may be interested?
Wingspan's Three Directions Program is designed to serve adults with developmental disabilities who are headed in one of three directions:
- Retired, but interested in occasional or regular activities and socializing in small groups of compatible people.
- Working age and interested in a mixture of social activities and volunteer work.
- Working age and interested in volunteer work that will build skills and develop into paid employment.
Focus:
Relationships are foremost in our priorities and can be developed in three directions:
- Persons with developmental disabilities may serve as volunteers for elders at Walker Methodist Residences, providing one-on-one visits and support, giving assistance in transporting people in wheelchairs to events such as church or activities, working in the dining room, walking pets, or helping with laundry.
- Elders at Walker Methodist Residences may serve as volunteers in the Three Directions program. For example, a woman who once ran a school kitchen in her working years may have a lot to teach Three Directions participants who want to learn kitchen and dining room skills as volunteers or potential employees.
- Peer friendships can develop between members of the two groups when shared activities such as ceramics, poker, baking or karaoke are enjoyed together.
Additional relationship support may include a visit to a friend or relative as an activity. Regular time in the community at a neighborhood coffee house, library or grocery store, opens up opportunities to form new relationships in the neighborhood.
If interested in exploring possibilities with Wingspan's Three Directions Program, please contact Maureen Merrill, Program Coordinator, 651-644-2665, ext. 102 or use our contact form.
