Building and Maintaining Relationships
New Directions, Inc. recognizes that unpaid relationships are fundamental in a fulfilling life and have positive impacts to the physical and mental health of a person. As such, we assist and encourage people to build and maintain personal relationships. When people we serve are connected to a community, they are recognized for their strengths and can make positive contributions.
We talk about people's strengths and where those strengths would be appreciated. We talk about about people's interests and how they can connect with others over those interests. We talk about how we can bring community into the lives of the people we serve. As a guide, we use Dr. Angela Amado's Workbook, "Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members" published by the University of Minnesota's Research and Training Center on Community Living.
We have helped people connect through various different groups and organizations. Here are just some examples:
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various churches and church groups
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pickle ball groups
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puzzle meet ups
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drum circles
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sports teams
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music cafés
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VFW socials
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anime groups
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walking and hiking groups
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Boy Scouts
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Community Education classes
Interested?
This is a great place to tell your story and give people more insight into who you are, what you do, and why it’s all about you.
about residential settings
This is a great place to tell your story and give people more insight into who you are, what you do, and why it’s all about you.
about in-home services (IHS), independent living services (ILS), semi-independent living services (SILS) or access housing.
Not sure?
Above: Kristina reached a dream of hers of buying an e-bike. She uses it for transportation to work and exploring her community, including the Gateway Trail. She is now an avid biker, riding up to 30 miles at a time!