Bear River Activity and Skills Center a place of tolerance and learning
The Bear River Activity and Skills Center is a program partially funded by Utah State University and the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) which helps adults with physical and mental disabilities set goals and achieve their dreams.
The participants in the program are 22-years-old years and older, and have finished high school. They are involved in activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At present, there are 12 people in the program.
“We ask them to look at their lives in a broader aspect and then we provide support so they will be able to reach their outcomes. As a program, we have to provide training to help and enrich their lives,” Paulette Godfrey, program coordinator, said.
“What is a dream you have?” This is the question every participant is asked before they enter the program and then goals or outcomes are set which will help them achieve that dream she said.
Godfrey used an example of a participant whose dream was to visit Hawaii. There are certain things any person would have to do in order to achieve that dream; save money, plan and visit travel agencies. These would then become the goals for the individual.
In this person-centered program, all the participants have their own separate programs. Their goals are broken down into 25 different areas and seven domains. Some of them are self-help, community access, exercise and health awareness and food skills training.
“We are helping them to have independent lives. When they are in control and making choices, behavior problems go down and even the smallest bit of progress can seem big to them,” Godfrey said.
While the program does enlist the help of the USU Service Center for volunteers, most of the people are full-time trained employees. Two of them are Shauna Godfrey, who has worked there for three months, and Valerie Okelberry – who has worked there for four and one-half years.
“Working with the people here has been a struggle, but it’s also been a reward. I have this bond with them that makes me want to make a difference in their lives,” Okelberry said.
Okelberry works with the higher functioning participants while Shauna works with participants who can’t communicate at all.
“They are very aware, but they don’t know how to respond,” Shauna said.
Some romances have popped up between some of the participants in the program.
“Every morning Gordon comes in and will hide behind a corner and peek around. When Mary comes in he gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek,” said Okelberry. “When it’s time for lunch he puts his arm around her and says, ‘Come on hon, lunch.'”
Shane, a participant who has Turner’s Syndrome, has also been able to break through with Becky who has chosen to ride around in a wheelchair even though she doesn’t have to. The two of them have known each other for years. When Shane scoots over next to Becky and puts his head on her shoulder, she always says hi to him, even when she’s in a bad mood, Shauna said.
“They all have very fun personalities and they love to have a good time, just like anyone else.” Okelberry said.
There have been times when the staff has taken the participants out into the community and the response has been less than tolerant.
“Sometimes I get the nastiest, dirtiest looks,” Shauna said.
Valerie has had problems with some of the members of the community. She attributes the problem to, “a fear of the unknown.”
There are ways the community can reach out to the participants in this program and others with disabilities.
“Come up and say hi. Be friendly. They love interaction. They are not disabled people, they are people with a disability,” Okelberry said.
Shauna also urges the community to “take the time to ask questions instead of pushing them aside. Society doesn’t really talk about them. It’s a hush-hush thing.”
To learn more about volunteering at the Bear River Skills and Activities Center, stop by the USU Service Center.
“Volunteers learn to become advocates for this unique population, and in turn the participants learn to become advocates for themselves,” Godfrey said.