Click here to view the My Place Program Brochure.

My Place is a 12-month social skills and community integration program that is intended for teens with disabilities, ages 13 to 19, to participate in opportunities to learn and practice core social skills through a combination of community social outings, informational workshops, vocational skill activities and special projects. The purpose of My Place is to provide a social skills program that will foster independence and positively impact the way our adolescent clients transition into adulthood. My Place sessions are held once a week for at least 2 hours, depending on the activity. Monthly community outings to restaurants, movies and arcades will be held as a means to practice and integrate the teens newly acquired skills. Parents are also provided with educational opportunities that provide tools that assist parents in preparing their teens for a more independent and rewarding life as an adult.

During the course of My Place, our objective is to provide the teen participants the following:

• An enjoyable and educational social setting where friendships can be nurtured.
• Increased awareness and knowledge as it relates to safety issues as teens expand their independence in the community.
• Improved participants' ability to interpret the verbal and non-verbal social cues that is utilized in various settings in the community to avoid inappropriate behavior.
• Improved knowledge about personal hygiene and self-care.
• Increased community involvement through voluntarism and work experience.
• Reduced episodes of personal seclusion by increasing activities that match our teens' interests and skill levels.

For more information about My Place, please contact Valerie Rougeau, Coordinator of Social Skills & Community Integration at (310) 328-0276.