Donors Challenged Us to Reimagine in A BIG Way

Parents Karen and Jon Cashen were concerned. The pandemic had closed their daughter Phoebe’s community day center. Without activities, adventure, and social interaction, what would she and the other members at the Center do? After all, who knew how long the pandemic lockdown would last? And what impact would it have on the well-being of Envision members?

Working with Envision President and CEO Mark McHugh and Vice President of Day and Employment Services Susan Gardner, the brainstorming began.

“We considered a variety of activities that members could engage in away from the centers,” Susan Gardner recalled. One option: As part of its inclusion activities, Envision has always encouraged members to spend more time in the community and exploring the city. Because of the expense, it wasn’t a formal program. Now, it would be.

Donor funding also strengthened Envision’s Art Studio and Van J. Voorhees Horticulture Program activities. There had been a media club, but now they had funding to produce virtual programming for members who were shut in. And they distributed iPads to members who had no technology to access that programming.

There are exercise and sign language classes. Board member Lori Marin hosts an “Arm Chair Adventure” show in which she shares photos from some of her trips to adventurous places. To socialize and meet new friends, there is even a program where members from all the centers can chat with each other over coffee.

And from fashionista Phoebe’s love for blinging purses and gently worn denim jackets was born the idea for the members to produce a runway show with a “Phoebe’s Fashions” segment.

“I think back about how this past year could have been very limiting and really depressing,” Karen Cashen reflected. “But in fact, it has not been. It has been a new way of looking at skills and talents and interests and enthusiasm. And it’s turned out to be just fine, and so I think moving forward, things will be even better!”