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 .
16 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Mars Area