SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT CENTER OF THE UPPER VALLEY

ART LAB
Art Lab is a weekly open studio art program for adults with special needs implemented in collaboration with SNSC and the AVA Gallery and Art Center. The participating artists get a chance to explore different media with an emphasis on creative self-expression while socializing.

HAPPENINGS
Adult Services Intake Form
Happenings is a social activities program for adults with special needs.

As we’re shifting from our outdoor summer programming toward more remote/virtual winter programming, we’re pleased to introduce our At Home Winter Series.

Our At Home Snow Series offers daily programs which start at 10:00 and run for 30-45 minutes depending on the day.

If you are interested in joining one or more of the 10-week online classes, please RSVP and we’ll send you the Zoom link for the course.

Monday

Book Club with Bobbi @ 10am

Bobbi Perez has been working with children and adults who have disabilities since the 1970’s. Throughout her life she has advocated for social justice including work with people with disabilities, prisoners transitioning back into the community, and immigrant children. She has volunteered in schools and libraries for decades and is full of joy to lead SNSC’s virtual book club.

Join Bobbi for the chance to explore new books, learn, and make new friends in a relaxed setting from home. You do not have to be able to read to join this book club! Books will be read aloud in a small group setting. Together we’ll be transported to different worlds where we meet interesting characters and learn about exciting new things. Taking that journey with a group of friends makes it even more delightful and fun.

Advanced Cooking Club, the last Monday of each month @ 4:30pm

Join Co-op Food Educator and SNSC friend, Lindsay Smith for a NEW! dinner cooking class. Once a month we will get together to learn important cooking skills, kitchen safety and of course create delicious food to eat! Each class we will try new techniques and develop your go-to recipe box! This class welcomes all suggestions and ideas- so we can grow and learn together.

Lindsay Smith has been teaching cooking for the Co-op for 4 years, but has been teaching in unconventional classrooms and with populations of all abilities for over twenty years. As a little sister to an amazing person with special needs, Lindsay has been witness to the incredible journey of independence and growth that can happen when someone is given the right tools. Her lifelong desire is to find the right tools for each and every person to be successful.

Art Class with Brooke, the first 3 Mondays of each month @4:30pm

This Art Class is a more advanced version of the morning session Art Lab, and is led by Brooke Robinson Drew. Brooke is an art therapist. She lives in New Hampshire and grew up in Hannawa Falls, New York. She studied art and environmental studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and went on for her masters in art therapy at Nazareth College. She has been working as a creative arts therapist since 2012 and really enjoys helping people find their new passion for life.

Tuesday

Living Our Best Lives @10am

In this class we will explore and DO! projects that will make life better for everyone in our whole community! Some ideas include creating a community education program about different disabilities, becoming mentors for younger kids with special needs, or even hosting some special peer led independent living skills groups like household skills, recreation, community living, and safety. This class welcomes all suggestions and ideas – so we can grow and learn together.

Wednesday

Art Lab @10am

Art Lab is a weekly open studio art program for adults with special needs implemented in collaboration with SNSC and the AVA Gallery and Art Center. The participating artists get a chance to explore different media with an emphasis on creative self-expression while socializing. While we’re all staying safe at home, we can still do art together! We will be hosting weekly tutorials for you to enjoy live from home or to view later on your own. Art supplies will be delivered for this 10 week session.

Thursday

Cooking Club with Paula Fernandes of My Brigadeiro @10am

Paula’s business, My Brigadeiro was inspired by her life’s passion for cooking, the love for her family, her friends and for entertaining them with delicious treats. It was also inspired with you in mind and her desire to share Brazil’s national sweet, but with a more sophisticated and healthier twist.

Our weekly cooking class led by Paula and supported by SNSC staff offers opportunities to develop social, independent living, and vocational skills while also practicing cooking techniques and kitchen safety. Of course, these fun programs also include exciting recipes you can make over and over again at home!

Friday

Fitness Friday @9:30am

Welcome to our Fitness Friday program. As part of this program, we will view special videos that focus each week on different aspects of fitness designed to support people with differing abilities. Our amazing volunteer, Callie, will lead us in different exercises each week.

ASPIRE
Aspire is a recreation program for children on the Autism Spectrum which is offered regularly throughout the year. Children enjoy activities that encourage development of communication and social skills through modeling and practice. Individualized skills and goals are identified and worked on through group play and exploration in the community.


PARENT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT & ADVOCACY
Parent Educational Support and Advocacy supports parents in all aspects of the special education and Section 504 process to promote understanding of the relevant state and federal rules, regulations while supporting parents in clarifying their ideas and concerns regarding their child’s education.

Our recently launched virtual Parent to Parent Peer Support Group takes place weekly on Zoom. SNSC provides a welcoming, safe and open space for parents to share struggles and triumphs, form relationships, and gain resources. For more information or to register contact [email protected]; once you are registered Laura will send you the Zoom link.

Our meetings are facilitated by Miriam Osofsky. Miriam is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Lebanon. Miriam adores her son Sam, who is 23 years old, has developmental disabilities and autism, as well as an exceptionally loving heart. He lives in an apartment in Manchester with two caretakers under the auspices of Siddharth Services.