Neighbor News
The Kennedy Center Expands in Newtown With Two Community Experience Programs
Program participants regularly give back to the community and volunteer at a recycling program at Newtown Library and other sites
The Kennedy Center recently expanded its presence in Newtown by relocating Project UNITE from Southbury to Newtown. This Community Experience Program, also referred to as Day Support Options (DSO) is located at 19 Church Hill Road. In addition, Project ACT, an existing DSO, has been located at 13 Berkshire Road for eight years. Combined, both programs assist over 30 people with disabilities.
“The Kennedy Center increased its footprint in Newtown because many of our consumers reside in this welcoming, vibrant town that provides a host of recreational and social activities,” said Allison Scudder, the Community Experience Manager who oversees both programs. “Plus, we have established a great relationship with the Newtown community, which is very close-knit.”
DSOs are located in various neighborhood settings and support small groups of individuals with various abilities and disabilities. Each program emphasizes the development of an appropriate skill base to expand learning, choice-making and inclusion within each person’s local community.
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The Kennedy Center supports 30 programs across eight communities including Newtown, Stratford, Milford, Woodbridge, Trumbull, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Monroe.
Project UNITE assists in daily living skills and develops a variety of in- house activities for the program participants. Some activities offered include chair exercises, music and art therapy, and interactive games such as Bingo, UNO, and colors and shapes to promote fine motor skill development.
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Active in the community, the group performs in sing alongs at the Newtown Senior Center, and visits the library and local parks.
Project ACT also promotes independence, social skills, recreation and community involvement. Consumers enjoy participating in numerous community outings to local attractions, stores, restaurants, museums, and libraries.
In addition, a variety of activities are offered, including art projects twice a week with an expressive arts therapist, sing along every Wednesday, cooking programs, volunteer opportunities, story time, and morning meetings. Participants also regularly use a computer or I pad to enhance their skills.
Kennedy Center clients affiliated with Project ACT also volunteer at a community recycling program and participate with Hines Gas Station, Newtown Library and Newtown Laundromat to raise money for Newtown Youth and Family Services.
Ultimately, both DSOs foster each consumer’s greater independence. For more information about these programs, contact Community Experience Manager Allison Scudder at 203-332-4535 ext 249 or visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org.
The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves over 2,000 individuals annually. The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. The Kennedy Center operates 30 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs.
