What is community integration? Community integration with an emphasis on social activities and relationships, in addition to employment and independent living skills. The priority of each of these areas may vary for different age groups and supportive needs. Sharper Visions offers opportunities “to learn practical social and community living skills (and job training) in a wide variety of community settings“.
Community Integration Services is a program that supports individuals with a range of intellectual, behavioral, and psychiatric disabilities to realize the most independent and fulfilling life possible. Individuals in this program are supported in many environments including 24/7 staffed residential homes, housing with shared living providers, independent apartments, and in the community.
Through our services we provide assistance with daily living skills; help with accessing community resources such as recreation programs, employment opportunities and transportation; support individuals with their education goals through tutoring and mentoring; as well as counseling services.
When you are looking for a way to become more integrated into the community, it is important to understand what you can do and what will be beneficial for you. This can be achieved through leisure or recreational activities that are available in your community. You can also communicate with others by joining an organization that meets in your area or by volunteering for a local organization. If you are interested in spiritual activities, there are many churches and synagogues in your area where you can find spiritual guidance and fellowship.
You may also want to participate in cultural activities such as festivals or celebrations that occur throughout the year. Community life experiences can also include development of living skills such as cooking, cleaning and shopping for groceries if these skills have been limited due to health challenges or other factors such as poverty level income levels; orientation, mobility and destination training; access and utilization of public transportation; interacting with volunteers from the community in program activities; community collaborations and social connections developed by the program.
