THE INSPIRE PROGRAM
HELPING ADULTS WITH DIVERSE ABILITIES TRANSITION TO LIVING AN ORDINARY LIFE
The Inspire Program is a full-day of inclusive and adaptive modules designed to provide post-secondary educational experiences for adults with diverse abilities with the goal of transitioning into living an ordinary life and will meet Wednesdays, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
For some, transitioning to living an ordinary life occurs over several years. It involves planning, goal setting, instruction, services, and activities designed to make that move successful.
The Parkview Warsaw YMCA is excited to offer the Inspire Program to inspire candidates to live an ordinary life. As enrollment grows, we will add more full-day programs focused on independent daily living skills.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT MADDIE PACHECO HERE.
All candidates should be dropped off each Wednesday at the Parkview Warsaw YMCA at 9:00 AM and picked up by 3:00 PM. The YMCA will transport candidates to the various community sites where learning can be applied in a real-world setting. Lunch will be provided on Wednesdays. Please provide money for shoe rental at the bowling alley.
Modules will be inclusive or adaptive depending on the activity or individual needs.
INCLUSIVE:
An inclusive approach to programs and activities means everyone participates in activities and classes together. These specific programs and events are created to provide an atmosphere where all can thrive. Inclusive support is available. Please mark “YES” on the registration form to receive inclusive support.
ADAPTIVE:
The adaptive programs are for individuals with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities who participate in activities alongside others with diverse abilities. We adapt programs as needed and strive to provide a variety of options for participants to choose from.
As the program grows, each candidate will work through modules that focus on:
- Daily Living Skills
- Academics
- Health and Wellness
- Employment
- Spirituality
Keeping module sizes small allows each candidate to receive one-on-one coaching and independent time to practice their skill. Some modules are inclusive, but the YMCA module coach will be available if support is needed for those activities. No more than eight people will be with one coach for any module.
ADAPTIVE SIGHT VOCABULARY MODULE
Word recognition plays an integral part in reading a recipe. Some individuals cannot sound words out phonetically, and learning to recognize high-frequency sight words in their recipes will help improve their reading fluency and comprehension of a recipe. Memorizing them as whole words is an effective strategy for early readers to build their reading skills.
ADAPTIVE LIBRARY SKILLS MODULE
Adaptive Library Skills is part of the Wednesday Module that builds on grocery shopping and cooking skills. Participants will learn how to use the library to research recipes for the module’s grocery shopping and cooking part. They will create a cooking binder with their recipes.
ADAPTIVE GROCERY SHOPPING MODULE
Adaptive Grocery shopping is an important activity of daily life. It’s a critical, independent daily living skill for living on your own. This adaptive module covers preparing shopping lists, selecting and purchasing items, selecting payment methods, and completing money transactions.
ADAPTIVE COOKING MODULE
Participants will gain more independence in the kitchen by learning basic cooking skills using a microwave. They will learn meal preparation and clean up. We will cover planning nutritious meals, preparing and serving food, using kitchen utensils and appliances, and cleaning up. Participants will learn to have greater confidence and understanding of the connection between raw ingredients and a finished, edible product and an understanding of the principles of safe food handling.
INCLUSIVE BOWLING MODULE (THROUGH END OF 2023). STARTING IN JANUARY OF 2024 THIS MODULE WILL BECOME A FITNESS MODULE
Inclusive Bowling Module | Bowling is a fun leisure activity. It helps with mobility; every part of the body is involved. Socializing with friends and getting a workout makes this a fun leisure activity. A shoe rental is needed. Other siblings or people may meet us at the bowling alley and bowl for $2.50 per game plus the cost of shoe rental. Those not in the Inspire Program must have supervision if needed.
Fitness Module | This module will begin with a Cardio Drumming Class! Cardio Drumming is a low-impact workout that people of all ages and fitness levels can do. Combining drumming and cardio exercise to the rhythm of music gives you a fast-paced way to increase your heart rate, strengthen your upper body, reduce stress, and improve motor skills and eye-hand coordination while burning calories. Come make friends while you exercise with this fun activity. After Cardio Drumming is over participants will play games.
*$200 monthly.
*Financial assistance is available.
If the candidate has support staff, once they are cleared to participate by the Inclusive Program Coordinator, they are welcome to attend any module but will be required to support the candidate they serve. The support staff will have expectations and follow the module coach’s lead.
Space is limited; please apply as early as possible.
STEP 1 | Fill out the intake application linked below.
STEP 2 | Once you fill out the following form you will be contacted to set up an intake interview. During the intake interview, the YMCA Inclusion Program Coordinator will meet with the Parent/Guardian and Candidate to determine individual needs, goals, and aspirations.
