INTRODUCTION TO MAKING FRIENDS

1. INTRODUCTION TO MAKING FRIENDS Resources for Helping People with Disabilities Establish Relationships with Others arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/WideningTheCircle.aspx

2. PURPOSEThis workshop has been developed as part of the DDS-funded “Widening the Circle” project through The Arc of Massachusetts. Its purposes are to help people to:-better understand the benefits of friendships, essential to ordinary lives.-explore the variety of approaches that help people with and without disabilities connect with each other and -learn how they can locate helpful resources.

3. What Does “Friend” Mean to You?

4. YOU KNOW YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THE INTERNET WHEN… You're more up to date with friends whom you've never met than with real friends.

5. Definition of Friendship What is a friend? --- We have chemistry! We enjoy each other’s company. We trust, understand, respect and appreciate each other. We like how we feel when we’re together. We are close even when we are apart. We look forward to being together. We commit over some time. We give to each other. We may not give in the same way but what we give and what we receive is of great value to each of us.

6. What are the Benefits of Friendships?

7. Friendships Can Protect Your Health Loneliness is risky! Loneliness can lead to higher risk of death, sleep problems, raise blood pressure, increase the stress hormone cortisol, increase depression and reduce feelings of living a meaningful life. Having high-quality relationships with a few people is one of the keys to happiness and longevity!

8. What are the Obstacles to Friendships?

9. Opportunities to Connect Activities for People With and Without Disabilities http://www.arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/ActivitiesfromArcherytoZumba.aspx

10. There are opportunities for relationships between people with and without disabilities wherever People… LiveLearnWork or Play!

11. Live

12. Learn

15. http://www.joltdance.co.nz/about.htm

16. Maximizing Community ConnectionsMaking the Most of Your Time and the Resources in Your CommunityActivity

17. But Sometimes Things are Not as Good as You May Think They Are…

18. “Preparing” People for Relationships“A Tale of Two Bridges” Jack Yates

19. “Preparing” People with Disabilities Many organizations offer some sort of Social Skills Training to people with a variety of disabilities and at all ages.

20. “Preparing” People Without Disabilities(dis)Ability Awareness Programs Volunteer readers with age-appropriate books. (Icare: www.thejamiefund.org) Activities with puppets with disabilities. (Kids on the Block: www.kotb.com Volunteer visitors with disabilities to classrooms.(www.understandingourdifferences.org)

21. “Everyone Needs Friends NOW!”Tom Doody • No one should have to pass some sort of “test” before they are “eligible” to be supported to meet others and establish relationships. • “Every Chipmunk is a Horseback Rider” • Jack Yates

22. Support May be Needed for Relationships to DevelopOpportunities to Connect and Preparation Still May Not be Enough

23. Some Approaches usePerson Centered PlanningThoughtful, personalized planning may be the key to ensuring that relationships and friendships are deeply embedded in the lives of people with disabilities.

24. Personal Advocacy & Lifetime Support (PALS)The Arc of MAhttps://www.arcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/PALS.aspx

25. Building Futures(http://www.nemasketgroup.org/services.php#toggle_building) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6ZLhSSEoKw&feature=player_embedded

26. Intentional Friends Projecthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLHvL5efl0&feature=youtu.be

27. Some Approaches use Groups and Associations to Help Relationships BeginFor many people, there is comfort in groups. With support and intention, individual friendships can be developed from relationships that begin as part of a club, class, team, association, organization or other group.

28. Friends are Critical in School!Real Pirate PrideHull High School

29. Best Buddieswww.bestbuddiesmassachusetts.orghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zC89ipkdGg

30. Cultivating Friendships Through HorticultureCoastal Connections

31. Bridges to Faith(www.bridgestofaith.org)Interfaith Connections(karleneshea@mcsnet.org) http://vimeo.com/24737555

32. UNIFIED SPORTSSpecial Olympics (http://www.specialolympicsma.org/get-involved/as-an-athletepartner/)

33. Club 21Alternatives Unlimited

34. Some Approaches Begin with 1-to-1 Matches to Establish FriendshipsOften times successful friendships are made through approaches that intentionally bring 2 people together, usually--but not always--based on shared interests.

35. Both parties can benefit greatly from matches like this (Big Brother/Big Sister: www.bbbs.org)

36. OR THIS:(Partners for Youth with Disabilitieshttp://www.pyd.org/)

37. Citizen Advocacy(www.nqca2012.org)

38. Community of FriendsBeta Community Partnerships: www.betacomm.org

39. How to Find or Create a Program Near You

40. More ResourcesYour Local DDS-Funded Family Support Center (http://www.disabilityinfo.org/mnip/db/tacr/OfficeByAgency.aspx?id=21) Your Local Chapter of The Arc (www.arcmass.org)Your Closest Chapter of MA Network of Information Providers(http://disabilityinfo.org/Resources/MNIP/members/) Index (www.disabilityinfo.org)Widening the Circle Websitearcmass.org/ProgramsatTheArc/WideningTheCircle.aspx