Misericordia Day Services: Something(s) for Everyone 
by Barb Quaintance
Day Services is a broad term used to describe all the programming that happens on the Misericordia campus, as well as in the surrounding community. This includes work opportunities, volunteering, art, fitness, horticulture and educational classes. Not only is there something for every resident, but there are also many things for every resident!
Within Day Services, there are three divisions:
- Community Day Services (CDS), which supports residents who live in CILAs and Shannon Apartments
- Conway/Holbrook Developmental Training (DT), whose participants are residents who live on campus.
- McAuley Developmental Training, which is tailored for McAuley residents who are too medically fragile to attend at Conway.
Each of the three divisions of Day Services is committed to providing creative and meaningful ways for the residents to engage. Tina Stendardo, VP of Day Services, says she thinks of the programming as a community college curriculum: diverse, varied and giving all ‘students' (residents) a choice in how they spend their time.
Community Day Services (CDS) is led by Nora Turgeon. Approximately 35 employees support 150-160 residents of the CILAs, Shannon Apartments and residents with community employment. The CDS services promote integration in the community. Some of what CDS does:
- Engage Chicago: a mix of on-campus curriculum and opportunities in the community. In this program, residents access the community in meaningful ways to enhance their experiences.
- Employment Services: including campus-based jobs, e.g. bakery, recycling, laundry, The Greenhouse Inn. Approximately 109 residents work at these jobs. Seventy-plus residents are competitively employed at about 35 employment sites in the community.
- Art: programming is in three studios in the main building and one art studio above the Hearts and Flour Bakery and Cafe. A variety of mediums is available to the residents for their artwork.
- Volunteering: a great way to build strong community connections and gain valuable employment skills. We have two main types of volunteer opportunities. The first is ongoing volunteer opportunities, which take place on a weekly basis. The second is short term volunteer opportunities, these are opportunities that are not consistent, they may only happen once or twice.
Developmental Training (DT) is led by Alnierys Venegas, AVP, and engages 375 residents in a variety of program offerings. Each resident has an individual schedule, which may vary day-to-day, reflecting their own interests and abilities. There are seven categories from which residents may choose: Employment, Health & Wellness, Horticulture, Technology, Education, Graceful Living, and Arts. DT also provides additional experiences, such as the pool, the Fitness Center, and recycling. This past year, DT launched its Chicago Connects program, which allows residents to meaningfully engage in the community and take advantage of what the city and suburbs have to offer. Alnierys is excited about expanding opportunities for the residents with her teams.
McAuley Developmental Training is led by Deb Hays. Approved residents (about 33) go to Conway for DT while others who are more fragile (about 39) stay in McAuley for their services. Tailored to the needs of McAuley residents, the curriculum is primarily focused on basic communication, sensory, art, horticulture, and pre-vocational experiences.
Misericordia School and Birth to Three Programs are led by Deb Hayes. These services are for McAuley residents who are under 22 years of age. While about 22 residents attend schools in the community, and 2 receive homebound services from the public-school system, McAuley houses the Misericordia School which currently services four students. Misericordia School is approved by the Illinois Board of Education and provides services for students too medically fragile to attend a community-based school. The McAuley Birth to Three Program currently serves four residents in a multi-sensory classroom environment 2 hours per day. Residents who attend day programs at McAuley (DT, Misericordia School, and Birth-3) also have access to weekly yoga, music therapy, art, and the sensory room.
The magic of Misericordia is that each resident is celebrated for who they are, never treated as if they are the all the same. With its variety of creative programming and its focus on each resident making their own decisions, Day Services exemplifies that ethos.
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