New services for young adults with developmental disabilities now open in Brick.

How many adults with developmental disAbilities are sitting at home with nothing to do? After completing their high school education at 21 years old, many have few friends and few activities to keep them busy during the day. Finally, there is an option for many of these people in Ocean County. A new service in Brick gives opportunities for young adults with disAbilities graduating from high school after age 21 years old through adulthood.

Daily classes are now available for people who want to continue to grow and learn, become more independent and to connect with friends and social activities. FRA, a well- established organization in the Monmouth and Ocean County area since 1979, has just opened a satellite facility located in the old school at St. Thomas Lutheran Church off of Rt. 70. This new location is easy access to many in Ocean County.

Now families and young adults with disabilities have choices. The facility opened in October and has a fun learning lab filled with computers, a studio apartment for life skills learning, as well as space for exercise and fitness and creative expressions activities. Monday afternoon Yoga class focuses on gentle yoga for people with special needs and developmental disAbilities. There is also Thursday evening dance classes, called “Dance with Jay”, where students learn the latest moves and dances.

The TECHConnection at FRA has offered these unique classes for almost a decade at their main facility in Shrewsbury with additional classes in Eatontown. The new class offerings in Brick include: Social Scene, Expressing Myself, Picture This! Life Skills Lunch, Enjoying My Space, A Healthy Me, Speak Up!, Fit for Life, and Community Service. The structure of FRA allows each person to choose how “you” want to spend your day and classes change every 12 weeks with new topics. There are no other classes existing like this in Ocean County and the current students are thrilled with the many opportunities they experience all week. All classes are taught by energetic professionals who thrive on giving each student new choices and experiences to be at their best.

Family Resource Associates (FRA) is a non-profit agency located in Shrewsbury, NJ that helps children, adolescents and people of all ages with disAbilities reach their fullest potential. FRA connects individuals to independence through modern therapies and advanced technology. Acknowledging the powerful influence of the family, we remain committed to them by offering both support and education. Visit their website at: www.frainc.org. or call 732-747-5310, ext 114 to learn more about these classes or to schedule a visit.