Frazer Center

Programs: Since 1949, the frazer center has been providing exceptional services to young children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities such as down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders and other intellectual and developmental differences. Our programs provide therapeutic, educational and vocational services that help participants realize their full potential and live meaningful lives as fully included, contributing members of the community. Our three main programs are 1) an inclusive early childhood education program, 2) a vocational and therapeutic adult program, and 3) cator woolford gardens, an event space that subsidizes our services. The frazer center's naeyc accredited early childhood education program provides high quality, inclusive child development services to families in metro atlanta. We work year-round with young children to enrich their early development, enhance their capacity to learn and succeed in school, and improve their long-term quality of life. We enroll 142 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 years old, and serve another 54 children aged 5 to 9 years old in our inclusive summer camp and aftercare program. Thirty percent of our children have an identified disability or are at risk for developmental delays identified through research-based risk factors. Our curriculum is tailored to the unique abilities of all of the children enrolled. Our children with special needs benefit from being in a supportive and stimulating environment with instruction that addresses their individual developmental stages and with typically developing peers who serve as role models. Typically developing students learn from their peers with special needs, developing flexibility, empathy, and creative problem solving skills that equip them to thrive and lead in diverse environments. Through early intervention we address the children's social, educational, and developmental needs so that they are ready to succeed when they enter kindergarten. Our ultimate goal is to prepare all children to develop the skills that will enable them to be fully included in their future elementary schools.

our adult program is also addressing a pressing community need. We support about 95 adults who range in age from 22 to 70 and have a broad spectrum of disabilities. Our cql accredited program provides high-quality, engaging activities to help these individuals learn and practice essential daily living skills, to prepare for employment in the community, and to discover talents and interests that lead to meaningful new opportunities and relationships in their communities. Every adult in our program has an individual service plan (isp), based on the individual's interests and aspirations, which sets annual individualized goals, outlines plans for achieving those goals, and tracks progress. The ultimate goal is for each adult served to be fully engaged in their community. Adult participants volunteer at local nonprofits, visit cultural attractions and restaurants, and participate in sporting events. Program participants also participate in job training and are matched with customized employment opportunities with local businesses, where frazer staff provide supported employment services for the employee and employer.

the frazer center is located on 39 acres of mature hardwood forest, only a few minutes' drive from the heart of downtown atlanta. A portion of the grounds includes 7 cultivated acres that form the cator woolford gardens. Designed as a series of outdoor "rooms", the gardens are ideal for ceremonies, receptions, benefits and corporate events. The gardens not only provide a place of enjoyment for the community, but also are an important source of revenue for our programs. The gardens hosted about 50 events this past year generating approximately $225,000 in revenues.