Deneen

Community Habilitation staff Cheiree recently brought program participant Karissa to Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield, MA. It was Karissa's first time there and she had an amazing experience! The ladies were delighted by all the beautiful butterflies that surrounded them and sometimes landed on them. Occasionally, a big butterfly would unexpectedly fly by, startling Karissa, but she took it in stride. Cheiree checked in with Karissa a few times throughout the day to see if she was ready to leave, but Karissa had found her happy place and wanted to stay as long as possible. Eventually, hunger won over for [...]

What do singing, dancing, comedy, puppetry, and Shakespeare have in common? They were all showcased at the 2023 Brain Injury Program's Talent Show this month. Participants rehearsed for months in preparation to make the exhibition the best it could be. Brian kicked the show off by channeling the Blues Brothers singing Everybody Needs Somebody to Love which set the stage for an hour of amazing talent. The Women's Group sang the USA for Africa song “We Are the World,” Susan and Sara performed Ike and Tina Turner's Proud Mary, Glen “knocked them dead” with his spot-on rendition of Charlie Daniels' Devil Went [...]

The beauty of the day was undeniable and abundant, both in nature’s manifestation and artistic representation. Last Saturday’s Stockade Association Art and Nature Garden Tour gave attendees an opportunity to bask in a picture perfect summer day while appreciating the handiwork of the historic neighborhood’s talented gardeners and the botanical beauty they painstakingly cultivated. The bucolic splendor of the nine private gardens, two public green spaces and two historic church gardens was accentuated by artwork created by Living Resources Arts program featured artists; TJ Casey Katie Kelly, Nick Lyons, and Gillian Mason who attended the show with their staff and [...]

The June 2023 Adventure Program is in the books what an adventure it was! They frolicked with exciting creatures at the Bailiwick Animal Park in Catskill, immersed themselves in Post-Impressionistic art at the Van Gogh Exhibit in Schenectady, had a “hole” lot of fun at Howe’s Caverns, launched into a luncheon cruise in Lake George,  pedaled through the scenic Adirondacks, and much more. The spotty weather added to the adventure and made for some great stories when they got home! The Adventure Program is offered to applicants who are 11 years old or older, live at home, and meet OPWDD’s [...]

What better place to celebrate the birthday of our nation than a tour of the state Capital grounds? The gentlemen who reside in one of our Albany residences recently took a trip to downtown Albany with one of their staff members. Norman, Danny, and Robert enjoyed the day by picking up some lunch at an area restaurant,  touring around the Plaza, and posing for this great photograph. These great friends love the independence of getting into the community and look forward to these exciting trips! Our residential sites offer a home environment, receiving support from as little as two hours a [...]