‘This place is pure magic.’ Disabled Tri-Citians find skills and friends there
On a recent spring day, about a dozen clients spent time working in the garden at Columbia Ability Alliance’s Kennewick office. They weren’t just growing vegetables though, they’re growing skills and a sense of community.
The nonprofit’s CEO Michael Novakovich told the Tri-City Herald that the community center provides opportunities for clients and makes a huge difference in the lives of their family members and caregivers.
“For individuals with disabilities who come to the center, this place is pure magic,” Novakovich said.
Columbia Ability Alliance rebranded from Columbia Industries last year.
The community center is a place where clients with disabilities and unique life challenges can come together, make friends, have fun and learn new skills.
Some of the clients will eventually apply these skills to jobs or living more independently.
Skills for life
One major benefit of the center is that it also helps caregivers, often family members. Being able to bring their loved one in to spend time at the center ensure they have time to focus on their own job, run errands or just decompress.
The result is better quality of life for the entire family and clients are able to continue living at home or on their own longer.
“It’s so important, without something like this caregiver burnout is a very real thing, it could lead to a reduced level of care that nobody wants to see for someone in their life,” Novakovich said.
“But more significantly, it can lead to early institutionalization for individuals with disabilities, which we really don’t want to see happening and neither do these caregivers,” he said.
Skills they learn at the community center can then be transferred to work they do through the nonprofit. Columbia Ability Alliance has several opportunities for clients to find jobs, whether it’s taking what they’ve learned in a cooking class to Opportunity Kitchen or using their gardening skills to get a job doing landscaping.
They even have a contract to sew welding hoods for the U.S. Navy.
Novakovich hopes that once the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery opens next door, they’ll have even more opportunities for job training and placement.
“We know a sense of belonging is so important in all of our lives, so we’ll do that here through the life skills,” he said. “Some of our clients actually engage in independent living or are working toward it, so they can learn these approachable skills here.”
Vibrant community
It’s not just training though, the center also has games, a pool table and a living room setting to just spend time with friends.
Clients also go on trips to the library, grocery stores and to do activities. They also have guests come in and teach fitness classes, bring in therapy dogs and come give haircuts and manicures.
“I love walking in here, it’s all high fives, knuckle (bumps) and hugs,” Novakovich said. “Watching our clients engage in activities and really enjoy life is an incredible opportunity, but what I find is our clients invest in everyone around them so our clients make our team feel pretty special.”
Chance Koeppler, 23, said he always looks forward to seeing his friends.
“The best part about coming here is all my friends here and playing games with them, and just having a good time,” he said.
One of the biggest things he’s learned through the life skills classes and outings is being a little more responsible with his money.
“I’ve learned to spend my money less,” he said. “Somewhat anyway, to be honest.”
Koeppler said he loves getting opportunities to make new friends, whether it’s new clients, guests or people they meet out in the community.
“I would highly recommend (the community center) and it’s a place that welcomes everyone, no matter their background or anything,” he said.
Supporting the mission
Clients come to the community center through a variety of means. Whether it’s private pay, Developmental Disabilities Administration respite funding or scholarships, they work to ensure families can find a way to access the services.
Novakovich said they were recently able to give a community-funded scholarship to a client’s family, enabling them to go from one visit per week to three. He said that’s going to make a huge difference in all of their lives.
They also have opportunities for volunteers to help out or for community groups to get involved.
They also have fundraising opportunities for a variety of donations paths, including corporate giving, individual donations and fundraising drive partnerships.
Their next big event is the Abilities Uncorked gala on May 31 at J. Bookwalter Winery. The event is sponsored by Central Plateau Cleanup Company.
Attendees will enjoy a meal prepared by Chef Aaron Tekulve. His restaurant, Surrell, has been named one of Seattle’s best as well as one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 50 Restaurants in America.
Tickets and sponsorship packages are available online.
