November marks the eighth month of the COVID-19 pandemic and, with a second wave predicted and flu season just around the corner, challenges around mental health, access, andisolation continue to affect millions of people across the nation. For individuals with disabilities, restricted access to the programs that provide work and social opportunities further isolate individuals. “I don’t think he could find the words to describe what was happening, but he was slipping into a vacant place and seemed depressed… The program has brought him back to life,” reports the Kearney familyof their son and brother, Michael. Despite the many challenges, Kainos Day Programs have spent the last several months focused completely on finding innovative, safe ways of bringing people together to combat these obstacles for the individuals we serve.

Families are already seeing a difference. “Your Zoom programs could not have come at a better time for Joanne. She needed a routine and something to look forward to each day. You have no idea how much you’ve helped our family with your programming and inspired Joanne’s creativity. We can’t thank you enough!” Adds Peggy Maguire, sister to community-based client, Joanne.

In addition to Zoom class access, community clients are delivered self-guided activity kits weekly containing three themed hands-on projects and activity supplies that can be worked on at each person’s own pace and schedule. Kits have contained activities related to Indigenous Art, Chromatography, Paper Art, Toy Making, Seasonal Crafts, Sensory Discovery, Alternative Energies, and more!

Day Programs at Kainos are also supporting community clients through the recent establishment of scheduled in-home visits. Families are able to
request 60 minute visitations from staff, who work under strict health and safety protocols to bring a client one-on-one support in their areas of interest. “The extent your staff is willing to go to ensure the health and wellbeing of your participants has seriously been outstanding. I’ve been so impressed by your impeccable coordination in every last detail…Your services during Covid have been a Godsend to Joanne,” Peggy added.

Joanne and Peggy, Michael and the Kearneys, as well as our manyother individuals and families, all serve as both inspiration and motivationfor the drive to keep adapting and pushing services further to meet new andevolving needs. The Kainos Day Programs team cannot thank our stakeholders enough for their fervent ongoing support of our endeavors. We deeplyappreciate the understanding, flexibility, and adaptability demonstrated by our clients, families, partners, and staff during these unprecedented times.