Center For Living & Learning Inc

TO PROVIDE 24-HOUR RESIDENTIAL CARE AND JOB TRAINING TO INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, IN A THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT WITH EMPHASIS ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF FUNCTIONING AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.

THE RESIDENCE FACILITY PROVIDES A HOME-TYPE ENVIRONMENT FOR ADULTS WITH SEVERE CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS.THE ORIGINAL FACILITY (PHASE I) AND A NEW FACILITY (PHASE III) EACH HOUSES 8 RESIDENTS WHO RECEIVE 24-HOUR CARE AND SUPERVISION. A SECOND FACILITY (PHASE II) AND FOURTH FACILITY (PHASE IV) HOUSES UP TO 10 RESIDENTS. THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE IMPROVED ENOUGH TO LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY BUT THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE SUPERVISION AND STIMULATION AS NEEDED. THE RESIDENTS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN GROUP ACTIVITIES THAT EMPHASIZE COOPERATION AND WORKING TOGETHER AS A GROUP. ALL FEES ARE USED TO OPERATE THE FACILITY AND TO PROVIDE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING: THE CENTER OPERATES A HORTICULTURAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE FACILITY RESIDENTS AND FOR OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM TEACHES THE PARTICIPANTS TO GROW PLANTS IN A GREENHOUSE. THE TRAINEE GAINS EXPERIENCE IN AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPS SKILLS IN WORKING WITH OTHERS AND UNDER SUPERVISION. HE OR SHE IS ALSO EXPOSED TO THE ECONOMICS OF A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AS THE PLANTS ARE SOLD TO HELP DEFRAY THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE PROGRAM.THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS TRAINING IN ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. THIS AREA IS INTENDED TO GIVE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY TRAINEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP NEW AND DIFFERENT SKILL SETS. THE TRAINEES ARE ALSO TAUGHT INTERVIEW SKILLS AND HOW TO WRITE A RESUME. WHEN POSSIBLE, TRAINEES ARE PLACED IN JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE "JOB TO WORK" PART OF THE PROGRAM.TRAINEES WORK WITH EXPERIENCED ARTISTS LEARNING ARTISTIC SKILLS AS WELL AS EXPOSURE TO THE ECONOMICS OF SELLING CREATIVE PRODUCTS PROVIDING VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS WHICH HELP LEAD TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.ALL INCOME DERIVED FROM THIS PROGRAM IS FULLY UTILIZED TO HELP FINANCE THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES.