Programs

Personal Choices Provide for Personal Achievements

Individuals are able to participate in choosing Programs that provide learning experiences and personal gratification. We focus on abilities and interests to create structured achievement goals that fulfill, challenge and encourage individual excellence.

Academics

Classroom learning, or functional "Academics", is the core Program provided to enrolled individuals. With a strong emphasis on real-life scenarios that make classroom experiences as interactive and engaging as possible, we are able to help individuals understand and retain what has been learned.

Often family members & members of our community come share their expertise and life experiences; which further enhances learning experiences for us all.

Life Skills

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Knowing and practicing ordinary life skills is especially important for developmentally disabled adults. With training and guidance from staff, individuals enrolled in our Programs learn routine tasks such as money management, cooking, personal care and housekeeping; allowing for more confidence and independence.

the Arts

A versatile Art Program allows artists to express themselves through numerous types of mediums. Many of the masterpieces created here have been displayed and sold at art galleries, libraries, and local community events.

Creative Happy Place

A very talented artist was featured in Gwinnett Magazine describing personal successes he has achieved while participating in our Programs. Read the full article here

Art for Sale

Many of the masterpieces created by our artists are for sale. You can see them displayed throughout our campus buildings and grounds, including our Greenhouse and Community Garden.

Donate

We are in constant need of supplies to help support individuals that choose to explore their creativity through art expression. For a list of common items needed, please see our Art Department Wish List.

Fitness Is Fun

Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining health, well-being, and quality of life; and can help control weight, & improve mental health by reducing depression and anxiety. For people with disabilities, physical activity can help support daily living activities and independence.

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A healthy & balanced lifestyle includes a fitness structure tailored to specific individual needs. All forms of exercise are beneficial; however, making FITNESS FUN is paramount to motivation and success. Sometimes a bit of friendly competition in group activities stimulates us to try harder; yet at other times we need to be still and reach into our inner selves with free weights or yoga.

Production

Our Production Facility provides a safe work setting for persons with varying degrees of disabilities, and other barriers to employment, to work together and provide labor resources  for local businesses – while also earning a paycheck.

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Jobs are separated into tasks from the simple to the more complex so that we can provide work tasks that are appropriate for each individual’s abilities. Work coaches are always on hand to provide supervision and training; while also supporting and encouraging production efforts.

Horticulture

Participating in Horticulture activities allows individuals to learn the responsibility and satisfaction of growing and nurturing plants through all of the many life cycles.

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Greenhouse

Gardening is a way for individuals to experience play-in-the-dirt fun first hand. This Program brings many benefits including ground-to-table nutrition and the therapeutic benefit of watching your efforts turn into enjoyable fruits of your labor. See more about our Greenhouse here

Check out our monthly Sunshine Newsletter to keep up with the latest happenings around our Greenhouse and Community Garden.

Community Garden

From its inception in 2021, the Community Garden has become a place where individuals enrolled in our Programs, our staff, volunteers and local citizens can create a perpetual legacy of kindness. Read more about the Community Garden here.

Animal Therapy

Interacting with animals prompts the body to release hormones that generate a relaxation and stress-reducing response, helping support good mental health and lowering anxiety. Animals can play very important roles assisting people with disabilities as part of therapeutic activities.

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We encourage volunteers to bring therapy and service animals to visit our classrooms. Also, while participating in the Classrooms without Walls Program, we frequently visit farms and animal shows that broadens our understanding of the animal kingdom around us.

Licensed Cat Shelter

Open to the public, our licensed cat shelter offers cats and kittens for adoption under GA License # A341. Providing this service allows individuals with disabilities the therapeutic benefits associated with caring for adoptable animals while also encouraging responsibility and humane treatment of others in need.

Classrooms without Walls

Remembering how magical childhood field trips seemed when we were young, we want to share those same types of experiences with individuals enrolled in our Programs.

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Realizing that learning happens in every setting, our goal is to provide as many learning experiences as possible. We take groups of 4 -10 people, based on individual goals, into specific learning situations in the community where we engage with others and experience life situations.

Each outing has a specific purpose and can include employment, academic and social experiences. From volunteering in our community, to restaurant outings, and visiting museums, theaters, parks, and libraries, exposure to a variety of social gatherings helps create a sense of purpose for us all.