Building Friendships Through KenCrest’s Meaningful Day Program
KenCrest’s Meaningful Day program helps those with IDD builds friendships for individuals with disabilities through community.
At KenCrest, the goal of our Meaningful Day program is to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to connect, grow, and thrive in their communities. Recently, the program received a generous $10,000 grant from the Legacy Foundation, allowing it to expand its reach by offering more participants new classes and community memberships.
Barry's story is one of the most heartwarming examples of the program’s impact. Barry has been an active participant in the Meaningful Day program, and one of his favorite places to visit is the local library. It was there that Barry met a new friend, Nicole, who visited the library, and their friendship blossomed quickly. They decided to explore more activities together, starting with a trip to a nearby farm. The visit was a fun-filled day, and they even got matching t-shirts to commemorate their time together. Since then, Barry and his new friend have continued making plans to enjoy more adventures together, deepening their bond through shared experiences.
Stories like Barry’s are what the Meaningful Day program is all about—helping individuals find meaningful connections and community involvement. Thanks to the Legacy Foundation’s $10,000 grant, KenCrest will be able to offer even more opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These funds will be used to support classes and memberships, such as YMCA memberships, bowling leagues, and cooking classes. The aim is to enhance the lives of participants by fostering both personal growth and community connections.
KenCrest is also looking to expand the program further. With this new funding, the organization hopes to identify and enroll 100 more adults receiving residential services in the Meaningful Day program. By doing so, KenCrest can continue to provide more individuals with the resources and support needed to thrive, build lasting relationships, and enrich their daily lives.
We are incredibly grateful to the Legacy Foundation for their continued support, and we’re excited about the future of the Meaningful Day program. Barry’s story is just one example of how meaningful community engagement can be life-changing, and with this grant, we look forward to creating more stories of friendship, growth, and fulfillment.
Help us create more success stories like Barry's! With the generous support of the Legacy Foundation, KenCrest’s Meaningful Day program is expanding, but we need your help to reach even more individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here's how you can get involved:
- Donate: Your contribution can help us offer more classes, memberships, and community experiences, enabling participants to build lasting connections.
- Volunteer: Join us in creating meaningful experiences for participants by volunteering your time and skills in our programs.
- Spread the Word: Share this blog and the work KenCrest is doing with your network. Together, we can build stronger, more inclusive communities.