Day Support Services, Intellectual Disabilities, Washington, DC

St. John's Community Participation program helps people with disabilities become involved in their communities by developing relationships, skills, abilities and an improved sense of personal value.  The staff supports individuals learn new skills through community activities such as shopping, banking, and using library services, as well as forming relationships through shared interests such as art, writing, computer technology, religion, and culture.  The program also serves seniors with disabilities, often within existing programs (e.g., senior centers) designed to support typically aging adults. In addition, opportunities to attend cultural, entertainment and sporting events are made available.



Another key component of the program is an opportunity for participants to volunteer in the community.  SJCS has established a network of nonprofit volunteer sites at which individuals can choose to donate their time doing activities such as bagging food for home-bound individuals, sustaining produce at a community cooperative, and visiting nursing home patients.