Options in Community Living logo featuring outlines of different people
 Options in Community Living

 

 

orange graphic link to Options home page
orange graphic link to Options who we are page
orange graphic link to Options what we do page
orange graphic link to Options news page
orange graphic link to Options jobs page
orange graphic link to support Options page
orange graphic link to Options contact page


image of category (Options- What We Do)


Who We Support

Kinds of Help

Community Building

Options Publications

Self-Directed Services

Links to Other Sites 		Community Building

Charlie is proud of his Norwegian heritage, and has made friends through participation in a local Norwegian club. Anne loves children, and has had opportunities to spend time with the kids at a local daycare center where she is welcomed and appreciated for her role in helping care for the children. Pat is a member of a local fishing club, and he is a reliable volunteer for the club's fund raising activities. Terry has found a group of friends through participation in a local church. He never misses a Sunday, and invites his friends to gatherings at his home. Phil is an artist, who has had several successful art exhibits in local galleries. He has met new friends through sharing his art, and he has gained the respect of many in the local art community.

The above descriptions are all examples of the outcomes of Options' work to increase the community involvement of people we are supporting. Assisting people who have been kept apart from community life to rediscover interests, gifts, and possible contributions has also helped members of the larger community to demonstrate hospitality toward people with disabilities.

Options continues to learn about how to assist people to build and rebuild connections to community. There is a staff position that focuses on this aspect of our mission and our work, but we have also learned that a commitment to community building must be part of each staff person's job. Organizational commitment to community building takes many forms, and requires Options to regularly reflect on the use of available resources. Are we properly focused toward community? Are we consciously seeking opportunities for people we support to be connected to their neighborhood and their neighbors? Are we taking time to notice existing relationships that may be strengthened and built on?

If you’re interested in getting to know one of the individuals that Options provides support to, click on the link below to see some of the opportunities that are offered. To learn more about the many other possibilities that are available, please contact Gary Messinger at gmessinger@optionsmadison.com

View Volunteer Opportunities

image of an ink drawing of a house with a tree beside it by Carter Todd

Artwork by Carter Todd
(Originally drawn on white paper, not green)
Carter also did the "Rowhouse" Artwork seen at the bottom of every page in this site
(Originally drawn as 2 separate images)

image of ink like drawing of rowhouses
Copyright © 1999 by Options in Community Living