Over 200 members and team members of the Intellectual Disabilties Division had the opportunity to enjoy a day at Hershey Park, riding the rides, going to the water park, eating ice cream, and just enjoying a sense of normalcy! Thanks to a grant from the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the members got to celebrate the Summer Kick-Off event.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives in significant ways that have lingered for years. Our individuals have been impacted in myriad ways that have the potential to have lasting effects on overall well-being. As vaccinations have become more available and effective, COMHAR is excited to continue to move back towards a sense of normalcy. In honor of these efforts, COMHAR hosted a celebratory Summer Kick-Off trip to Hershey Park in early June 2023, as a reminder to our individuals of possibility, excitement, and connection. This fun-filled day encouraged the individuals to connect with one another, engage in fun activities, and travel outside of the Philadelphia area to see all that Pennsylvania has to offer.
The Hershey Park celebration allowed the individuals to practice various skills needed to successfully engage with their communities, including interpersonal skills, budgeting (where appropriate), self-regulation, self-directedness/choice/control, and self-advocacy. By providing appropriate levels of staff support, attendees were able to be as autonomous as possible while also maintaining health and safety.
