In early January 2015, the Disability Services’ SMILE (Seniors Maintaining an Independent Lifestyle Everyday) program relocated to a larger space on the Post Road in West Haven.

SMILE began three years ago and has been located in the Upper Lang building at 227 Elm Street, complementing the main Day services site just down the road at 622 Campbell Avenue.

With more and more Disability Services clients living longer lives due to advances in medicine and healthier lifestyles, the need is there for a larger space, said Executive Director Patty Stevens. The SMILE program serves clients over age 50 and is part of the larger Community Connections Day program serving adults with disabilities 21-years and older.

SMILE features age-appropriate lifestyle and related activities, and remains focused on our mission to bring maximum independence, better quality of life and greater community inclusion opportunities to clients, noted Disability Services Director Marie Watson.

And fortunately, the move to the Post Road occurred just prior to the arrival of heavy snows in late January, so it was a dose of good fortune for Watson, her staff and of course, our clients.

The new site at 840 Boston Post Rd. features one larger program space area with kitchenette, three handicapped accessible bathrooms, accesible shower,

Stay Connected Disability Services Quarterly

Winter 2015

A publication of the West Haven Community House227 Elm St., West Haven, CT 06516

West Haven Community House Has Served the Needs of West Haven and its People Since 1941

‘SMILE’ move addresses growing population of eldersseveral smaller program rooms and a staff office. It is on the first floor and occupies 3,000-sq.-ft. with a private rear access for vans to drop off clients.

“The clients love it,” said Watson. “They enjoy the brightness of the new location and there is more room to do the various activities.” Meanwhile, management and staff appreciate the ability to meet the needs of the clients in a more accessible environment, she said.

Day Services Program Manager Keri McLaughlin oversees the SMILE program, while Individual Day Program Manager Karl Pepin has his office at the Post Road location.

New Post Road site largerand more client accessable

The front room as it looked just prior to leasing at 840 Boston Post Road, the new home of the SMILE program serving adults 50-years and older with developmental disabilities. An Open House was held on March 19 - Story and pictures in Spring 2015 issue.

Kevin Parker loads furniture from the Upper Lang to deliver to the

SMILE program’s new home at 840 Boston Post Rd.

New Wood Street Shower

A new walk-in shower has been installed at the group home on Wood St., second floor. See related photos, story on back page.

2 West Haven Community House / Stay Connected / Winter 2015

It was the season for gingerbread cookie baking and decorating, too, with clients and staff enjoying displaying their creativity

and skill in not only making pleasing-to-the-eye creations,

but delicious ones, too!

There were a variety of fun and ambitious activities during the winter holiday season. Among them was a door decorating contest at the home of Community Connections at 622 Campbell Ave. Every group outdid themselves in this first-ever door decorating contest, as clients put together door decorations that included snowmen, chimney, fireplaces, holiday trees, colorful presents and holiday wreaths to name a few. Kudos to all staff and their client groups for your outstanding creativity and effort! You did yourselves proud!

* * * * * * *AND ONCE AGAIN, many thanks for the help and generosity of our longtime volunteers Walter and Joyce who treated our participants to yet another wonderful extravaganza. They shared lunch, dessert, fun and games together as all programs DSO, SMILE & IDN came together to celebrate the winter solstice.

In September 2015, Community Connections implemented an Activities Coordinator position. Congrats to Sophia Brown who was chosen to fulfill this role. Her primary duties include assisting the DSO manager in developing and implementing meaningful and fulfilling activities for our clients and encouraging our life skills coaches and clients to think “outside of the box” in terms of programming. Among Sophia’s early accomplishments was helping give James the opportunity to experience what it is like to own and operate a bakery. Throughout the winter months, James and his group have learned the skills needed to run not only a traditional bake sale but also a “made-to-order” cake sale business. Our participants have learned the art of marketing, supply and demand as well as devoting their time and talents to meet the needs of their customers. Overall it has been a very rewarding experience for all members involved with a sense of accomplishment, unity and the satisfaction in a job well done.

It is always fun for Day program clients to interact with students from local high schools and colleges and this past December was no different as a group of student volunteers from the University of New Haven came to visit our SMILE program. Together, the stu-dents assisted program clients put together unique birdfeeders as part of an arts and crafts project. Of course, the camaraderie exhibited between the two groups is always something special, too, as both the younger

students and the young-at-heart clients had fun comparing facets of their lives. Students, just starting out in their careers, and our SMILE participants, all spoke of their work experiences and several on how they were enjoying the benefits of retirement. It was a fun and satisfying experience for both groups, and so much so that the UNH students have already asked to come back and host a Bingo Day for SMILE in the Spring.

UNH students help make birdfeeders at SMILE

STAFF CORNER

Door decorating highlights winter fun

West Haven Community House / Stay Connected / Winter 2015 3

Karen Chamberlin, above, at Lorenzo’s Christmas party for Residential Services. All 18 residents and staff gathered in December 2014 to celebrate the holidays with a sit-down dinner, a surprise gift giveaway and great conversation by all.

The Holidays - a Joyous Season for All!

Andrew get-ting ready for Christmas at his apartment putting together the Christmas tree. Holiday decorating is very big to him and his room-mate, Lucy. They enjoy this time of year and being festive.

Every once in awhile it is fun to head up to the Mohegan Sun casino to have a fun day trip, seeing all there is to see and taking a chance on those penny slots. This is especially true at Christmas time, and Theresa, Tim and Edwin made a December trip and were in awe at the colorful and beautiful array of holiday décor.

A day trip was made to the city to take in the winter sights including ice skating in Rockefeller Center and see-ing the world famous Christmas tree amidst the holiday hustle and bustle of Times Square. Just a fun filled day

of sightseeing in the Big Apple for Kim, Michael, Carlos, Russell and Joe.

The annual Halloween party has become something that residents and Community Connections cli-ents alike look forward to attend-ing every year. And the October 2014 dress-up event was no excep-tion. The party was held in the Community House auditorium at 227 Elm St., which was decorated befitting the season. Along with food and music, attendees had a great time dressing up in costume as well as socializing and dancing with their peers and staff.

West Haven Community House / Stay Connected / Winter 2015 4

Firehouse tour

Annual Halloween Party

Second floor buddies!

Several participants were provided the opportunity to tour a local West Haven firehouse. There they were able to meet the firefighters, see where they eat and sleep when they have to stay overnight. Clients also learned about all the equipment needed to fight fires and some of our clients even got to slide down a real live fire pole!! Many thanks to the WH Fire Dept. for your time and service protecting our community!

The second floor residents at 42 Wood St. have welcomed the Residential program’s newest resident, Laseanna, pictured middle above, into their lives. Laseanna is a big New England Patriots fan, and she certainly enjoyed the Super Bowl Party held at Wood Street in early February.

The Wood St. home and property also have had several major projects completed of late to celebrate, including a new access ramp to the two side doors, and a newly extended and paved driveway during last summer (2014). In addition, a new second floor walk-in shower was installed in February 2015.

Super Bowl Party hosted at home