DayProgram Classes Trimester2 2026
Pathways to Independence
Swimming
IIn Swimming, the Friends are building essential water skills in a fun, supportive environment with a strong emphasis on safety. They are developing confidence in the water while practicing key safety habits, including breath control, safe water entries and exits, and understanding and following pool rules. This class promotes both water safety awareness and growing independence, all while encouraging enjoyment and confidence in the pool.
*Friends need a bathing suit and towel each week.
Pathways to Independence
Full Circle Classes
In partnership with the YMCA’s Full Circle program, these classes help participants build confidence, independence, and lifelong fitness habits all while having fun. Beyond the physical benefits, participants enjoy a welcoming, supportive community that encourages socialization, teamwork, and meaningful connections with others. Classes include - Weightlifting, Yoga, Full Circle/Aerobics, and Swimming, offering something for every interest and fitness level.
Pathways to Independence
Pedal Pals
Pedal Pals is an inclusive biking program designed to introduce the Friends to the fundamentals of safe and confident bike riding. Tailored for individuals of all abilities, this course builds fitness, coordination, and independence while promoting exploration and fun in a supportive group setting. Activities include skill-building drills, group rides, and creative bike-related games. The program also promotes physical health, social interaction, and independence through structured lessons and real-world biking experiences.
Pathways to Independence
Lunch Bunch
Each week, Friends will plan a lunch from start to finish! Together, they’ll create a meal plan, build a grocery list, and stick to a budget while shopping for ingredients at the grocery store. Recipes are chosen with the group’s likes and dislikes in mind, along with fun, practical nutrition lessons.
Back in the kitchen, Friends will practice kitchen safety, explore healthy food choices, and learn how to use a variety of cooking tools and equipment—all while working as a team and enjoying the process of making (and eating!) a meal they created together.
Kitchen Safety
Healthy Living Cooking Skills
Pathways to Independence
SweetAbility
Bakery
During their volunteer work in a busy commercial kitchen, Friends build real-world employment skills in a fun, hands-on way. They practice following oral and written directions, working as a team, mixing and baking, measuring ingredients, packaging baked goods, and cleaning their workstations. Along the way, they strengthen selfmanagement and safety skills as they navigate the community. Friends also grow their selfexpression, active listening, and communication skills by working with teammates, the owner, and other employees to successfully complete the day’s tasks.
Pathways to Independence
PENCIL for Schools
PENCIL is a nonprofit organization that connects community partners with the needs of Metro Nashville Public Schools. While volunteering in this office-supply–style environment, Friends build valuable employment skills in a hands-on, supportive setting. They practice following directions, working as a team, shelving and organizing school supplies, creating teaching resources, and providing friendly customer service all while building physical stamina and confidence on the job.
Pathways to Independence
St. Luke’s Mobile Meals
While delivering Mobile Meals for St. Luke’s Community House, Friends build meaningful employment skills while giving back to the community. They practice following written and oral directions, working as a team, and using important soft skills when greeting and communicating with others. Along the way, Friends strengthen selfmanagement and safety skills as they navigate the community. They also use self-expression and clear communication as they work with their team, interact with Mobile Meals recipients, and coordinate with St. Luke’s staff.
Pathways to Independence
Dream Streets
Dream Streets is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and empowering individuals in our community who are experiencing distress. Each week, Friends work together to pack bags of healthy snacks for children in Dream Streets’ after-school program. Through this meaningful volunteer work, Friends build employment skills such as following oral directions, teamwork, fulfilling orders, and building physical stamina. They also strengthen self-expression and communication skills as they collaborate with teammates, management, and other Dream Streets staff to successfully complete weekly projects.
Pathways to Independence
Edley’s BBQ
During service-learning at Edley’s BBQ, Friends gain real-world work experience in a restaurant setting. They practice following oral directions and task lists, working as a team, communicating effectively, and learning specific dining room setup skills. Friends also build self-advocacy, professional behavior, selfmanagement, and safety skills as they navigate the restaurant alongside coworkers and customers. Through positive interactions with the team, staff, and guests, they practice appropriate conversation and self-expression while completing weekly tasks.
Pathways to Independence
The Branch
The Branch is more than a food pantry it’s a lifeline for families facing hunger. Using a free grocery model in southeast Nashville, The Branch empowers neighbors to shop with dignity and build a brighter future. While volunteering at The Branch, Friends gain hands-on employment experience by practicing skills such as following oral directions, working as a team, shelving and organizing food items, providing friendly customer service, and building physical stamina—all while making a meaningful impact in the community.
Pathways to Independence
Hillwood Pres
This weekly class volunteers at Hillwood Presbyterian, giving Friends the chance to build employment skills while serving our neighbors. Projects rotate each month and may include packing meals and shelf-stable foods for the community, distributing food to neighbors in need, creating encouraging cards for others, and completing a variety of meaningful tasks. Each activity offers hands-on, purposeful service-learning experiences that help Friends grow while making a positive impact.
Pathways to Independence
In this weekly service-learning class, Friends volunteer at Christ Presbyterian Church by filling more than 1,400 communion cups for weekend services. As a supporter of Friends Life, CPC provides a meaningful opportunity for Friends to contribute to their ministry. Each week, Friends strengthen employment skills such as focus, stamina, fine motor coordination, and social skills while working alongside CPC’s ministry team in a welcoming, supportive environment.
Pathways to Independence
SmArt Arts & Crafts Store
The SmArt Arts & Crafts Store class is a dynamic service-learning opportunity where participants build social and workplace skills while supporting a creative and meaningful mission.
Together, we help give new life to thousands of pounds of donated art supplies each year, keeping materials out of landfills and into the hands of crafters ready to create. Their work is guided by three core values—Employ, Reuse, and Create—empowering participants to grow their skills while making a positive impact in the community.
Pathways to Independence
Outdoor Safety & Hiking Club
Outdoor Safety and Hiking Club combines adventure, wellness, and practical skill-building as Friends explore a variety of scenic trails throughout the Nashville area. Participants will enjoy the benefits of being outdoors while building endurance, strength, and overall physical wellness. Weekly discussions and hands-on practice will reinforce topics such as trail awareness, preparedness, and safe decision-making, creating a fun and supportive environment for exploration and growth.
Pathways to Independence
Camp Crafts & Woodworking
Camp Craft and Woodworking offers a handson, engaging experience where creativity meets practical skill-building. In this class, Friends will explore outdoor-inspired crafts and projects alongside beginner-friendly woodworking designed to build confidence and introduce foundational techniques. This class encourages creativity, problemsolving, and a sense of accomplishment all in a fun and supportive environment.
Pathways to Independence
Gardening
The Gardening Classes this summer will invite Friends to discover the agricultural process from a single seed to harvesting their food. Through tending raised beds at FLC and in the community, and they will engage in healthy earth practices; The Friends will better understand the importance of our agricultural system, explore new and exciting foods grown by themselves and local farmers, and learn more about the unique ecosystem of the state of Tennessee.
Pathways to Independence
Book Club
Book Club offers an engaging and interactive reading experience centered around Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. In this class, Friends will strengthen their reading skills while exploring vocabulary, comprehension, and the deeper meaning of the text. To enhance understanding and keep learning fun, movie clips and book-themed activities will be incorporated throughout the sessions. This class creates a supportive environment where Friends can build confidence in their literacy skills while enjoying a shared love of reading.
Literacy
Vocabulary Engagement
Pathways to Independence
Healthy Parks & Frisbee Golf
Healthy Parks is designed to enhance the overall well-being of Friends through physical activity and meaningful engagement with natural spaces. Participants will explore local parks, disc golf courses, and other outdoor areas throughout the community while building healthy habits and an appreciation for the environment.
The class also incorporates opportunities for learning and creativity, using nature as a foundation for growth and exploration.
Advocacy Through the Arts
Open Studio
Open Studio supports Friends’ selfexpression and creative voice through the creation of original artwork. Artists use the artmaking process to explore identity, share their stories, and communicate what is meaningful to them. Through collaborative studio work and exhibitions, Friends connect with others and celebrate their role as professional artists within the community.
Advocacy Through the Arts
Ceramics
Ceramics Studio offers Friends a dynamic, hands-on opportunity to explore creativity through clay in partnership with Buchanan Arts. Guided by Addie, who holds a degree in ceramic art, alongside a Buchanan fellowship artist, FLC Artists will learn techniques such as hand-building and wheel throwing while discovering the full process from raw clay to finished, glazed pieces. This class encourages creative exploration, self-expression, and confidence within a collaborative studio environment.
Advocacy Through the Arts
Art Exploration
This community-based class supports Friends’ creative exploration through engaging with visual art throughout Nashville. Each week, Artists will visit a new location to experience and discuss art in a variety of mediums reflecting and responding to the work they encounter. Through shared experiences and discussion, Artists deepen their connection to the local arts community, one another, and their own creative interests, walking away inspired by the art forms they connected with most.
Advocacy Through the Arts
Screen Printing
This class supports our Artists’ creative development through screen printing and printmaking alongside legendary printmaker Jim Sheridan. Artists are encouraged to choose their preferred medium, including drawing and illustration, while learning the techniques and processes of printmaking and screen printing. With guidance from teaching artists, Friends will develop a body of work that reflects their individual style and creative voice.
Creativity
Self-Expression Entreprenuership
This class supports Friends’ creative
Kindling Arts Festival
Kindling Arts is Nashville's radically unique independent arts incubator. Founded in 2018, Kindling develops innovative new works by local experimental artists, empowering diverse creators with the resources required to explore challenging ideas in a multidisciplinary context.
Going into our 5 year with the festival, Friends will create, rehearse, and perform an original piece involving a variety of creative arts modalities including: live performance, dance, poetry, visual arts, music, and film. Performance dates are TBD, but will fall on the last weekend of July (July 23rd-26th, 2026)
2026 BBQ Fashion Show
Time to shine! This class will spend time combining Friend's musical favorites, professional styling to match each Friend's personality, individualized choreography to showcase each Friend and who they are, and a final fashion show presented at the FLC BBQ Fundraiser September 26, 2026 putting all the magic together!
Advocacy Through the Arts
Filmmakers
In this class we will explore creativity through the art of filmmaking. Each month our class will write and direct a two-minute short film on a specific theme. That film will then be showcased to the public at the monthly Dare to Fail short film showcase. We will also watch and discuss films related to the theme of the month. The goals for this class are creative writing, imaginative world building, and film studies.
Storytelling
Creativity Teamwork
Advocacy Through the Arts
Dance FUN!
In this class, Friends will celebrate their hearts, souls, and bodies through the joy of dance! Drawing inspiration from cultural traditions and music from around the world, Friends will explore a variety of movement styles in a fun, welcoming environment. Through joyful movement, rhythm, and creative expression, Friends will celebrate culture, diversity, self-love, and individuality. This class encourages confidence, connection, and freedom of expression.
Advocacy Through the Arts
Music & Songwriting
In this creative and music-filled class, Friends will use music and songwriting to build creativity, emotional awareness, and communication skills. Each week, the group will collaborate to write an original songs inspired by a chosen word, theme, or favorite artist, turning ideas and feelings into lyrics and melodies. From time to time, special guest musicians may join the class to help lead, inspire, and make the experience even more exciting.
Creativity
Reading & Writing Self-Expression
Pathways to Independence
Communication & Technology
In this class, Friends will build strong, effective communication skills using technology-based tools with support from the staff. Together, they’ll create personalized keyboards designed to boost confidence, self-expression, and independence. The class focuses on social connection, self-advocacy, and safety— especially in emergency situations by practicing how to clearly share important information with trusted adults across a variety of real-life scenarios.
Technology
Connections Safety
Pathways to Independence
Team Building & Outdoor Games
This inclusive Physical Education course is designed to build social, communication, and motor skills through cooperative games and structured team activities. Friends will move, play, and learn together in a supportive environment that encourages participation at every ability level. Through teamwork-focused activities, Friends will strengthen gross motor skills, boost selfconfidence, and support their overall physical well-being. Just as important, this class fosters connection, belonging, and a strong sense of community making fitness fun, social, and empowering for everyone.
