Specially Adapted Resource Clubs (SPARC)
5081 Queens Wood Drive
Burke,
VA
22015
United States
703-338-6185
http://sparcsolutions.org
Elliott Toobin,Mylene Nyman,Amanda Bishop,Kelly Fitzgerald,Joshua Chernikoff,Dukjin Im,Donna Goldbranson,Monica Benteler
SPARC is a unique day program operating in local community centers for adults with disabilities. Adults with disabilities too often lack options to have an active role as full citizens in their community after graduating from the public school system. Adults with disabilities desire the same outcomes in life as people without disabilities. They want to work, enjoy friends, and give back to their community. SPARC provides a dynamic program in a community setting with the appropriate supports so people with disabilities can stay united with their families, connected within their neighborhoods, and enjoy their friendships. Our goal is to ensure all students with disabilities graduate to a life of opportunities not isolation. We offer life-long learning opportunities for individuals with life-long disabilities. Whatever the disability, SPARC can modify and adapt activities to faciliate the personal preferences expressed by each participant. SPARC is an active, engaging, vibrant program in an encouraging and cooperative setting for adults with all disabilities.
SPARC offers a day program for adults with disabilities with three main components; entrepreneurial projects, community service, and life-skill development. The interests and personal choices of the participants at SPARC are the foundation in developing each area of programming. The core value that guides our staff is: every individual has the right to be him or herself in their community. We take challenges and turn them into opportunities. SPARC offers adults with disabilities trained staff to facilitate activities such as art and music therapy, bookclub, computer access for social media and research, adapted sports, photography, and cooking. Participants create micro-enterprise opportunities to produce and sell products they make. We give back to the community through service learning projects like collecting items for food banks, baking for the homeless shelter in our neighborhood, adopting soldiers overseas. Life-skill development is accomplished through guided lessons such as cooking, travel training, and literacy activities. SPARC provides appropriate learning options for adults with disabilities so they can age in place in a healthy and supportive setting.
