Festive Time at STRIVE

Members of the STRIVE Day Program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, had a busy fall, celebrating the holidays while continuing to learn social and independence skills. From a Halloween Parade to a holiday dance, the festivities were fun, enriching and community-building. “The year ended with our members celebrating, engaging and continuing every day to learn important life skills,” says Abby Sampson, STRIVE’s Program Director.

Through daily activities, the STRIVE staff works with members to help foster independence and personal development. “We offer structured activities for them to choose from daily that fit their individual needs, such as learning computer skills, cooking, simple job skills training, and going out into the community for shopping, volunteering and fitness classes,” says Abby.

Fall kicked off with a parade observing October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, where members dressed up in pink and marched around the Children’s Aid’s Paramus location with posters they had made. To celebrate Halloween, members and STRIVE staff wore costumes and paraded around the Children’s Aid property, ending up at a trunk-and-treat party in the parking lot. For Thanksgiving, there was a full meal with all of the fixings served by volunteers and staff. December included both a holiday bazaar where members personalized and sold gifts, and a holiday dance, “Shades of the Season.”

Volunteers are always a welcome part of STRIVE’s events, coming from M&T Bank, Columbia Bank and De’Longhi, where they assisted this fall at the Halloween trunk-and-treat party, helped serve meals for the Thanksgiving and holiday dinners, and joined in on the fun at the dance. “The volunteers are wonderful and we always appreciate them so much,” says Abby. “They help with the special activities and are great at mingling with our members. Along with our community partners, they are invaluable to the program.

“Our goal is to prepare each of our members for some form of independence, whether or not they will be able to live on their own,” says Abby. “Through social interactions and learning basic life skills, teaching them how to engage in and be part of the community they live in can be life-changing.”