‘Choices’ provides outlet for people with developmental disabilities

SOUTHFIELD — From art and cooking to gardening and exercise, a local nonprofit is trying to provide meaningful activities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them to hone skills and nurture their creative side.

The program, called Choices, is run by Gesher Human Services, a nonprofit based in Southfield that formed earlier this year from the merger of two other nonprofits, JVS and Kadima. Individuals are typically referred to the Choices program by their support coordinator through the Oakland County Health Network. The program itself is part of a larger effort by Gesher to support the special needs community.

“We offer innovative, participant-driven programming, both virtual and in person, with a focus on community integration,” said Julia Tapper, the Choices manager at Gesher, via email.

Nathan Volz, the vice president of community inclusion at Gesher, said that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD, may experience challenges that change over time.

“Some individuals with IDD are also diagnosed with anxiety, depression or other mental health diagnoses, which is often known as having a ‘dual diagnosis.’ Individuals with IDD may also develop dementia or early on-set Alzheimer’s,” Volz said in an email.

He noted that physical and sensory needs are also quite common among the IDD population. To this end, Gesher has a range of support services, from managing medications and dietary health such as insulin levels and allergies, to personal care in the restroom, seizure protocol support and assisting individuals with vision and hearing loss, as well as those with limited mobility.

“You can probably deduce that it often requires a team of individuals … to assist an individual with achieving their identified goals and desires,” Volz said.

Each person served by Gesher has a plan made for them, which is developed and updated at least once each year based on their needs, desires and goals. The staff at the Choices program then uses this information, along with surveys and daily feedback, to plan activities that each person will find valuable. This has led to activities such as plein air painting — the act of painting outdoors with the subject in full view — as well as music therapy, cooking classes, writing workshops and more.

Another option is a new class called Fashion Fridays and Wearable Art, held in collaboration with the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Students learn how to design clothing and accessories featuring their own artistic style. Lessons include creating simple leather sandals, creating loose garments — tops and bottoms — from fabric and paper, and making fashion accessories such as bags, totes, hats, wristbands and jewelry.

Some activities are held in person at Gesher’s program facility in Southfield, including classes on art, cooking, exercise and gardening. Others involve field trips.

“About the farthest we’ve traveled in a day was out to Chelsea for a tour of the Jiffy plant where they make their famous muffin mix. You’d be hard-pressed to name a location in the Detroit metro area that we haven’t visited since the program began in 2018,” Volz said. “We ask people what they want to do — thus, ‘Choices’ — and build our programming around that feedback and the surveys we collect.”

For those who are unable to attend in person — either due to safety concerns amid COVID or due to a lack of staffing on Gesher’s end — the Choices program also has daily Zoom meetings, called “Frequency,” which run for more than five hours each day, Monday-Friday.

“This means that anyone in our program who is at home can join us whenever they want to,” Volz said. “This flexibility has been hugely successful to the program. … Instead of being a student moving from classroom to classroom every hour, now, every hour, your classroom moves to you.”

This format can extend to community outings, as well, where groups can virtually tour different destinations on their computer or tablet.

“Virtual programming has not only served as a social lifeline for the people we serve who are at home, (but) it has also created new friendships across geographic barriers that didn’t exist prior to COVID,” Volz said.   

Tapper said that she sees potential for the Choices program to grow, as well.

“In order to continue to expand opportunities for the people we serve, we are always looking for dedicated individuals to join our staff,” she said.

Those interested in joining the Choices team as a facilitator, or activity coordinator, must have a high school diploma or a GED and be able to pass a background check. The position is full-time, with full benefits, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. There is also paid time off on Jewish holidays. The starting wage for this position is $14.60-$15.35 per hour, based on relevant experience.

For more information, call Gesher Human Services at (248) 559-5000.