Friends Life Community

Results: We were founded in 2008 by four families with disabled children who were aging out of traditional care systems and a community advocate. These four families wanted more for their adult children, so they began meeting regularly in the basement of a church. By 2011, the program had grown so rapidly that we moved into our own facility on Granny White Pike, where the organization resides today. Now we serve approximately 25 Friends per day and 40 Friends and their families throughout the year. We keep a 5:1 client-to-staff ratio on a daily basis, ensuring the quality of our programming for each participant.

Target demographics: Teenagers and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Direct beneficiaries per year: 40 clients ("Friends") and their families

Geographic areas served: Nashville, Tenn.

Programs: All of our programs focus on three main goals: increasing independence, building relationships, and community inclusion. To that end, we have offer three service programs: Day Program, Social Club, and Career & Life Coaching. *Day Program* Operating Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, our day program is the heart of our organization. Our curriculum priorities include: (a) Service Learning: Weekly Service Learning opportunities connect our Friends to the city around them, opening doors to new friendships and relationships between individuals with disabilities and community members. By volunteering at local nonprofits, our Friends not only become more visible and active in the community, but also expand services to those in need. Service Learning opportunities provide the space to build job readiness skills—and résumés—through actual work experiences while contributing important causes. (b) Arts and Education: Our focus on arts and education fosters thought-provoking conversations, and opens doors to new relationships between individuals with disabilities and our community. Art, in all of its forms, offers the chance for each of us to connect with others. Whether it's through self-advocacy or community advocacy events, art shows and festivals, or Friends Life Community events, our Friends learn through dynamic curriculum that builds social, independent and communication skills. (c) Health & Wellness: Friends Life Community prioritizes Health & Wellness in our day program by focusing on mind, body, spirit, and relationships. We offer educational classes and inclusive activities for our Friends with disabilities, including daily fitness options that are fun and creative. To promote networking and relationship building, we use our local YMCA facilities and attend their classes weekly, and we regularly participate in Special Olympics events. Friends Life Community: together, we are extraordinary. *Social Club* Friends Life Community Social Club is a group of Friends who meet four times each month for social outings around Nashville. Social Club members learn and apply important life skills—such as relationship building, budgeting, or how to use public transportation and rideshare services (e.g. Lyft or Uber)—in a social setting with peers. Members do not have to attend our day program to participate. Social Club: experience more. *Career & Life Coaching* Friends Life Community's Career and Life Coaching program empowers individuals to overcome common barriers to independent living through person-centered plans. Each plan is different and created around the specific needs of the individual, with an assigned coach facilitating growth and modeling expected behaviors as the clients work to achieve their goals. Coaching plans can focus on job readiness skills, improving communication, organization, health, and more. CLC at FLC: moving individuals forward.