The YMCA Adult Habilitation Day Program is a service-driven organization established to provide services for adults with multiple disabilities who are unable to be placed at this time in Prevocational or Vocational type workshops. The Program was established in 1985 with only eight persons enrolled and currently has twenty-seven individuals attending the program. Funding for this program is provided by St. Louis Regional Center and individual funding sources. Scholarships are available on a limited basis. The Day Program offers services for six hours per day for a maximum of 225 days per year. Transportation is generally contracted by St. Louis Regional Center. The schedule of daily events is designed around the individual needs of a personal enrolled in the program. Each individual is assigned to a group based on personality and individual differences. Some of the specific objectives for individuals at this time include feeding, toileting, prevocational training, grooming, tactile stimulation, auditory stimulation, socialization, and self-help skills. The normal staff to client ratio is 1:3. (State requires 1:4). The newest program will include community activities with a van equipped for wheelchairs. The program is licensed and inspected by the State Department of Mental Health. For additional information or a tour of the facilities, contact Debbie Redmond, Habilitation Director.
General Overview
The YMCA Adult Habilitation Day Program is designed to assist adults over the age of 21 with developmental disabilities. Specifically, the program works with persons with a diagnosis of more than one of the following: epilepsy, aphasia (speech), visual impairment, cerebral palsy, spinal curvature, hearing impairment, full or partial paralysis, autism, autistic-like symptoms, severe to profound mental retardation, etc. These persons do not generally qualify for a sheltered workshop or formal prevocational training programs due to the scope of their disabilities. The program provides services for individuals to include working on basic skills in order to support and/or increase the person’s abilities in the areas of self-help, grooming, sensory stimulation, grasping and manipulation of items, eye-hand coordination, eating skills, toileting, etc.
History
The YMCA Adult Habilitation Day Program was started at the request of the St. Louis Regional Center after the completion of a successful day camp for disabled youth. The program opened its doors in July 1985 in a church in Arnold while serving eight individuals from the Jefferson County and South County area. The program moved to South County in August of 1987 and remained at Park School (Special School District Building) for seven years. At the closing of Park School, the Habilitation Program moved to the South City area. The present site was opened in February 1996. The current location at 7023 South Broadway was built to suit the program and meet the ADA standards.
Visiting The Program
The Habilitation Day Program is currently located at 7023 South Broadway. It is located a block and a half south of Loughborough and a half mile from Interstate 55 and Loughborough. Occupying two store fronts on Broadway on the west side of the street, the location is in between antique shops and restaurants. The Program has a small backyard for time outside of the building and sidewalks are accessible for wheelchairs in the area.
Volunteer Opportunities
The YMCA Adult Habilitation Day Program is actively seeking volunteers that would like to make a difference in the life of a severely disabled individual. Many of our class members thrive on attention from people other than their teachers and are seeking to develop a friendship with other individuals. Often, a person enrolled in the class does not have anyone other than staff members that can be considered a friend or an advocate for the individual. Some of the people have spent most of their lives in a residential care facility and have not known the love and friendship from family or other individuals. Volunteer time can include working with one individual at a time to do the daily tasks, develop a hobby, or find an activity in the community where that person can participate on a weekly or monthly basis. Persons are needed who are able to provide sensory stimulation activities, walks in the neighborhood, one-on-one time for reading, music appreciation, or simple grooming activities. Volunteers are needed to assist and organize parties such as special events and birthdays. Volunteers are appreciated if they can provide assistance in feeding and caring for an individual. Special field trips always need someone who can provide the time to research and plan in advance of events. Volunteers are an important part of our services. We also need help in designing an outdoor garden for the enjoyment of the individuals in addition to maintaining the back yard for them. If you have the time, we need your help, please feel free to contact Debbie Redmond at 352-5087 or 353-4960.
Contact Information
7023 South Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63111
(314)352-5087
(314)352-2185
(314)353-0439 (fax)
dredmond@ymcastlouis.org
