People Living with Developmental Disabilities
Caring for a family member with a developmental disability requires an unlimited amount of time, love, and energy. Kennedy Institute's Take-A-Break Respite program offers theme-based activities and social outings for people with disabilities, creating free time for their families on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and on selected holidays. "We are the endless parents, and we’re getting older and more tired," says Carol Newman, "we need the break Kennedy Institute provides." Carol and her husband, Fred, depend on the program for their daughter Mimi, who lives at home with her parents who both work full time.
Whatever the challenge, we open a single door to help and hope.
Our Philosophy
We have an abiding faith that people with developmental disabilities possess the power to live full and rewarding lives. Our job is to partner with them to make that a reality. Creating opportunities through partnership is what we strive to do each day. We do so through a continuum of care that begins with services for infants and extends to adult programs and advocacy support networks.
We work with people of all ages to help them build the skills necessary to overcome limitations. School-age children and young adults receive the individualized academic, therapeutic and vocational services that prepare them for adulthood and, for some, make it possible to fit into in their neighborhood school setting. We also offer specialized services for children with autism and for adults with developmental disabilities who have a history of substance abuse or homelessness. And we help families of people with developmental disabilities find respite, solace and strength.
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