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Curative Care Blogs

July 9, 2018

Volunteering Creates a Sense of Purpose for Those with Special Needs

Four Curative clients standing next to kitten cages

For many of the clients in our Adult Day programs, the idea of working is not even an option, but volunteering is! Volunteering can help give a person a sense of purpose, and that feeling is the same for the clients we serve.

If our clients are not already working, Curative can provide a safe environment for the clients to experience new skills through volunteering and gain new exposure to different parts of the community. By following each client's person-centered plan, staff are able to help clients gain work skills that may help them achieve employment, if desired.  Not only does volunteering benefit our clients, but it also benefits the companies we interact with and introduces them to our clients and to Curative’s mission.

 

Volunteer opportunities Curative clients have enjoyed:

  • Elmbrook Humane Society (cleaning and socializing with animals)
  • Curative's Senior Center in Waukesha (doing activities with the older adults)
  • Salvation Army (handing out water at the Wisconsin State Fair)
  • Making care packages for homeless individuals through the Curative/Kiwanis Aktion Club

 

Why is volunteering so important in a Day Program setting?

The clients we serve may not be ready for employment in the community yet, but volunteer opportunities can help them to build and/or strengthen skills they may need in the future. With the help of Curative staff, clients can work on learning socially appropriate actions while out in the community, which will help in future employment opportunities. We can also offer exposure to different experiences allowing clients to make more informed choices on where they’d like to work. Other skills that can be gained through volunteering include reliability and perseverance plus personal satisfaction of knowing they have made a difference. 

 

How our clients feel about volunteering:

  • “I love it (volunteering). It is a way to give back without expecting something for it and also it shows that people care.”
  • Many clients reported that volunteering makes them feel good and special to be able to help others in need.

Casey, Manager of Adult Day Services

Casey has a Bachelor’s Degree from Carroll University in Psychology and Communications with an emphasis in Relational Communication.  Casey first started working with individuals with disabilities doing in-home therapy with children with Autism, and she fell in love with serving those with special needs. She went on to manage a group home for several years before coming to Curative in 2012 as a Program Coordinator. She was then promoted to Manager of the Menomonee Falls Adult Day Services program.  In her spare time, she likes to stay active and bake. 

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