Community Partners creates and supports partnerships between developmentally disabled adults and community volunteers. These partnerships are designed to foster friendships, enhance community involvement, and decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Description:
Adults served through Community Partners have a variety of disabilities that include Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism or any other cognitive disability that may limit their ability to participate fully in the life of the community. But much beyond their special needs, they share an enthusiasm for life and a longing for shared friendships and communication. Volunteers are matched with a partner with whom they share common interests and ideas. Every volunteer in Community Partners right now readily states that they receive more than they give because of the nature of the unique friendship and the chance to make a difference in the life of a needy person.

History:
Community Partners was formed as a program under the organization of Advocates For The Developmentally Disabled in 1990. Today, the program serves adults in the community and special education students at Stevens Point Area Senior High School. Volunteers receive a detailed orientation to the program before they are matched with a partner. Community Partners asks volunteers to spend 4-6 hours per month with their partner and of course more time if that is available. The program also is well connected in Portage County and receives tickets to plays, concerts, games and other events throughout the year.

Contact person: Sharon Flugaur, Coordinator/Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

2800 Prais St. Stevens Point, WI 54481 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.volunteersolutions.org

Last updated on December 2, 2011