Maximum Potential
C. A. R. E. S. of Western PA inspires and encourages people with intellectual disabilities.
BY JENNIFER BROZAK
Anew community organization in Mars is on a mission to help those with intellectual disabilities find independence while giving back to their community. Community and Residential Empowerment Services( C. A. R. E. S.) of Western PA, Inc. opened its doors in December. Through a day program, lifesharing services and recreational outings, C. A. R. E. S. provides adults of all ages with a multitude of opportunities to learn valuable life and pre-vocational skills, says regional director Mindy Bowen.
“ As part of our day programs, participants routinely volunteer for local nonprofit organizations,” says Bowen.“ Not only does this benefit the nonprofits, but it also provides our clients with a sense of accomplishment and volunteerism. It truly helps them integrate with their communities and become more independent.”
In the past few months, C. A. R. E. S. participants have stocked shelves at the North Hills Food Pantry, delivered for Meals on Wheels, baked desserts for Meals on Wheels, completed administrative tasks at the Woodlands, worked with animals at Glade Run and sorted donations at the Mars Home For Youth. This summer, they’ ll work with Grow Pittsburgh to learn the basics of planting a fruit and vegetable garden.
Day programming is all-inclusive and is offered five days a week from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. Each week, participants plan a menu, shop for groceries and prepare a meal as part of their life skills development. The day program schedule also includes a variety of recreational and educational activities, such as trips to state fairs, zoos, museums and local fire departments.
C. A. R. E. S. is the only area day program that provides transportation to and from client homes, eliminating the need for public or other private transportation.
“ No other local program offers this service,” says Bowen.“ By picking them up at their homes, it allows our participants to attend programs they might not otherwise have had the chance to, because their parents or caregivers might have to work.”
The organization also facilitates a lifesharing program, in which participants live with an unrelated family or individual. The program gives participants a sense of independence that they might not otherwise experience by continuing to live at home or in a group setting, explains Bowen.
“ The lifesharing program provides our participants with another option for becoming active, involved members of their communities,” she says.
Bowen, whose own family participated in lifesharing as she was growing up, explains that lifesharing is not a group home situation; rather, it is a long-term relationship where participants become active members of another family.
As one can expect, the process for becoming a lifesharing family is extensive and thorough, requiring criminal background checks, clearances and multiple meetings to ensure that both the individual and family share similar interests. For example, if a participant has a strong interest in sports, C. A. R. E. S. will try to place him or her with a family that also has an interest in athletics.
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