Sarah and Cathy walk the red carpet as honored guests at the Night to Shine event at 2|42 Community Church in Ann Arbor. The residents begin asking about the event months in advance and eagerly anticipate attending. This year, nineteen residents enthusiastically...
Clay Artists Emerge
For the past four months, Eli Zemper of Curiouser Clay has been teaching the residents how to work with clay according to their abilities. Eli says, “This is the highlight of my week. They are all such a joy to work with.” Their first projects were ornaments. Some...
Stories That Inspire – Haylie and her Flourishing Day Program
Every challenge is an invitation to make a positive impact. Haylie Moran is a tenacious individual who sees challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. When she took on the role of day program coordinator at the St. Louis Center in the summer of 2022,...
A New Way to Clay
Curiouser Clay is a mobile clay art studio that offers classes that encourage play and experimentation rather than repetition and perfection. Eli Zemper of Curiouser Clay approached the Center to discuss the possibility of a partnership to give residents a new...
Open Spot Theatre Takes Residents on a Road Trip
Residents put on a performance with Open Spot Theatre at St. Louis Center! A Theatre Program for People of All Abilities Since 2012, Open Spot Theatre has proudly taught people of ALL abilities music and movement therapy. Theatre classes are designed for everyone,...
A Time to Remember: 9/11 Service
Residents and staff participate in the candlelight service. September 11th is a day for all Americans to take a moment of silence to remember the lives lost on that day 22 years ago, those who were victims of the attacks and those first responders who risked their...
Independence College Summer Classes
St. Louis Center strives to empower each resident to achieve their highest level of independence. This summer, the Social Work department guided a cohort of 10 residents through a curriculum known as the "Independence College". The Independence College was designed...
Day Programs – Creating Joy
Albert and Haylie help to unload the van of food that was collected at the Center for the benefit of Faith in Action. Haylie Moran took on the role of Day Program Coordinator with a clear vision of creating a program that would not only engage the residents but also...
Independence College Graduates
Jacqui and her roommates in Mike's House take turns preparing dinner each day with minimal staff guidance. Through their unwavering determination and grit, ten residents of the Center successfully completed a rigorous curriculum of classes offered by the Social...
Programs – Having Fun at Home and Beyond
Ray, Carlie Hartwick, and Matthew enjoy snow cones together. Keeping the schedules of 55 people straight is no easy task. Rick Visel has been juggling the work and social calendars of the Center’s residents since 2010. He came to St. Louis Center looking to volunteer...
St. Louis Center Residents Start Micro-Enterprise
Residents Prepare for Farmer's Market People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) often face challenges when it comes to finding meaningful work and opportunities for community engagement. However, a new initiative that involves making homemade...
Sharing Shamrock Shakes
The entire world becomes Irish for a day on March 17th! At St. Louis Center, the residents get into the spirit by wearing green, enjoying an Irish feast, and the new tradition of Shamrock Shakes in the afternoon. Day program staff gets out the blenders, mint ice...