MARKO GEORGIEV
Turiello’ smission, and that of her sister and co-owner, Melissa Howard, is to empower the young adults to make their own choices. Members choosethe menus they prepare, the movies they watch, and the games theyplay.
The current club membersare offered activities including exercise, board games, art, cooking, yoga and music from 3-8 p. m. Some Fridays go until 10 p. m.
The club is open to the cognitively impaired and to brain tumor survivors, as well as to those who have Down syndrome, autism or multi-chromosomal disorders, among other conditions.
“[ Special needs ] is avery openterm,” Turiello says.“ Different people need different things, and we didn’ t want to be pigeonholed to just cognitive disabilities. Whatifsomeone had atraumaticbrain injury and they were struggling socially withrecovery? This wouldbeareally goodplacefor them.”
Members tend to be 18 years old or older, but Turiello says they choose not to focus on age.
“ Our oldest member is almost 30, but we have men and women who come by intheir 50s,” shesays.
Turiello and Howard were inspired by Lyndhurst residentNikki Thiess, 23, who has Down syndrome. Howard has been acaretaker for Thiess since she was 8years old. Thiess’ sphoto is now part of the organization’ s logo.
Howard, who is also aspecial education teacher at the Felician School for Exceptional Children in Lodi, began the club in her living room, giving Thiess an opportunity to socialize with her peers. But it becametoo crowded, as theyfound more and moreyoung adults wanting to join in the social hour, and so Howard and Turiello sought and eventually found anew space.
“ We wanted this to be ahome away fromhome,” Howardsays.“ They can movearound independently. We’ re morelike lifeguards. We watch asituation and see if we need to jump in or not.”
FRIENDSHIPS FORMED Glenbowski high-fives team member Francine Loverich.
“ THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THINGS AS ADULTS WITHOUT MOM AND DAD, AND UNWINDAFTERALONG DAYWITH THEIRFRIENDS.”
LAUREN TURIELLO, CO-OWNER AND PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIAL SCENE CLUB
Many programsfor people with special needs focus only on work skills only. Aperson can be agoodworker, but no one will wanttowork with them if they do not have the social skills needed to interact with others, Howard says.
Membership rates for theclubvary, and parents can sign up for daily, weekly or monthly memberships, aswell as drop off their young adults for one day.
More information about The Social Scene Club can be found on its Facebook page, which is frequently updated with photosand videos of the various activities the members do. ●
– KAITLYNKANZLER
( 201) FAMILY | AUGUST 2017 41