Oswego YMCA

249 West First Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 343-1981

Oswego County "Friends for Life" Respite Program at the Oswego YMCA

The "Friends for Life" Respite program is aimed at serving people with various disabilities and developmental delays that reside with family members in Oswego County.  This program was developed to give relief to family members of special needs population while providing opportunities for inclusion and integration of the participants into the Oswego YMCA and the community.

The Respite Program's activities provide independence to the participants with structured functions that promote physical fitness.  Participants are exposed to mainstream events that aid in the development of their confidence and social skills.  The input of the participants and their families is crucial for growth and successful development of the Respite Program.  We attribute the progress of our program to the participants, their families, staff and volunteers.  All are an integral part of the operations and success of our program.

Transportation assistance is available.  The events held by the "Friends for Life" Respite program include all of Oswego County, reaching out to areas as far as Mexico, Pulaski, Sandy Creek, Parish, Wiliamstown, West Monroe, Brewerton, Central Square, Hastings, Pennellville, Hannibal and Fulton.  Respite travels to all of these areas to include the participants in outreach events.

The Oswego YMCA Respite Program encourages independence, health and fitness, inclusion and individualization by providing social and recreational activities for developmentally disabled children and adults.  Activities are supervised by highly trained staff, which provides proper supports for inclusion into existing YMCA programs such as:  Swim Lessons, School's Out, Water Aerobics and Fitness classes.  In addition, various activities and events in Oswego County and Central New York are scheduled throughout the year to promote community integration and socialization skills.

Our Fitness Center has a wheelchair accessible weight machine.  The Oswego YMCA is handicap accessible on all three floors.  There is also a chair lift that goes into our pool.

Assessment and various diagnosis documentation is required to determine eligibility.  Scholarships are available.

Who is eligible for our program?

• Teens and adults (ages 13-54 yrs.) who are developmentally delayed or physically disabled before the age of 22, who reside in Oswego County with family members.
• Youth and pre-teens (ages 6-12 yrs.) who are developmentally delayed or physically disabled before the age of 22, who reside in Oswego County with family members.
• We are NOT able to serve ADD, ADHD, LD, ED, medically fragile or violent individuals and those who are aided by Foster Care, Family Care, Group Homes, IRAs or other assisted housing.Assessment and diagnosis paperwork is required to determine eligibility.
• Respite is a program that is offered year round at the Oswego YMCA for a small monthly membership fee (scholarships are available).

Respite activities: Basketball, Pool, Games, Miniature Golf, Arts and Crafts, Fitness Classes, Community based activities (ie., ice cream social, theater, restaurants, book social, etc.), Movies, Bowling, Trips to the zoo, parks, beaches, museums, art gallery and planetarium, Trips to baseball, basketball and hockey games, Basketball and Kickball games, Recreational Swim/Adult Swim/Aqua Aerobics, Outreach Special Events (ie., summer barbeque, Nature Center, Apple Orchard, etc.) and so much more !!!

For more information please contact Meg Henderson, Respite Director at 343-1981 or email Meg at meg@oswegoymca.org

 

 

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