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
Melissa Burke
Program Director
for In-Home Support (IH), Access Housing (AH),
Independent Living Skills (ILS) and
Semi-independent Living Skills (SILS)
What is it about your work that energizes and inspires you?
I enjoy the relationships at New Directions. I love supporting staff and seeing the smiles that result when individuals meet new staff. I also enjoy watching these relationships grow. I have seen how long-term relationships between staff and the people we support enrich lives.
What’s your favorite tradition?
I love traveling with my family, especially to State and National Parks.
What’s your idea of perfect weekend?
On the weekend, I love hiking, reading, watching TV and doing puzzles of all kinds.
Contact Melissa About...
In-home services
Access housing services
Independent living services
Semi-independent living services
