The Funding and Expansion of our Recreation Program
For 15 years, RecLife has been a recreation program for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The mission of RecLife is to promote social inclusion, independence, and overall well-being for individuals with I/DD. The program provides a supportive and inclusive environment with opportunities for participants to engage actively, integrate into their community, develop skills, and foster meaningful connections.
Prior to 2024, RecLife did not receive funding that was fully able to support the program, requiring Lifehouse to carry the additional cost year after year. We are thrilled to announce that this July, the Lindskog Foundation awarded us a $62,560 grant to help fund the RecLife program.
When the pandemic started in 2020, the program faced the challenge of having to pause in-person activities. Despite these obstacles, our Activities Coordinator, Mari Araujo, demonstrated determination and creativity by transitioning to on-line gatherings. Through a variety of activities such as karaoke, line dancing, bingo, and virtual bowling, the participants were able to connect with their friends amidst widespread isolation.
As pandemic restrictions eased, RecLife programs resumed in-person activities, including trips to the bowling alley, visits to the farmer’s market, dinner outings, excursions to Scandia Family Fun Center, and volunteering at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Seasonal activities such as attending the Marin County Fair and visiting the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch also resumed. “The bonds that are formed in these festive social gatherings are so beneficial to the people we support. It feels amazing to create access and opportunity for those young individuals to blossom”says Mari Araujo, Activities Coordinator.
The program is making it’s mark in the community. On several occasions, patrons at restaurants have offered to pay for the group’s meals, moved by the touching nature of the event and wanting to show their support for their local community members.
RecLife group at a bowling outing!
For Questions or to Apply Please Contact:
Mike Sus
Program Manager
msus@lifehouseagency.org
Mari and a RecLife participant
