Christmas arrived in full swing at Riverside Developmental Disabilities on Friday, December 18. Their annual Christmas dinner and party included a performance by local folk band, Madewell. There was dancing, food, and time for the Riverside community to enjoy spending the afternoon together. After serving nearly 900 of Miami County’s disabled this year, the staff and adult day program participants had numerous reasons to celebrate. Throughout the month of December, adult day classes at Riverside included festive activities like ornament-making, build-your-own Christmas trees, an Ugly Christmas Sweater Parade, indoor snowball fights, and a performance of the Cookson Elementary School Choir in the Riverside gymnasium. Care staff and residents alike were delighted by the atmosphere, music, and magic accompanying the holidays.

Jamie Pettit has attended the Riverside day programs for many years and just returned after a period of time where he was unable to leave his home. According to Nichols, he calls every woman he meets “mom” and has a gift for making new friends. Since his return last week, Jamie has wasted no time brightening the lives of everyone he meets at Riverside. “I’ll tell you straight up mom,” Jamie said. “This here is my family.” Jamie was accompanied by his girlfriend Marsha and friend Mary at the Christmas party Friday afternoon. He was excited about his Christmas present, a new CD of classic Beach Boys Christmas music. Others shared similar experiences and enjoyed the opportunity to be with their friends for a festive occasion.

In addition to the Christmas party, the Special Olympics at Troy Christian on Monday, December 20 and Tuesday, December 21 were a highlight of the season for Riverside day program attendees. Male and female Special Olympic basketball teams from Riverside competed during half-time at the Troy Christian women’s and men’s basketball games. According to Melissa Nichols, the Community Relations Director at Riverside, the Special Olympics are not just fun for the members of Riverside, it is a way to connect and develop relationships with the community. “This time of the year can often have the effect of making people think about others,” Nichols said. “If we can introduce them to people they wouldn’t ordinarily reach out to in a venue that everyone enjoys, we have accomplished something of tremendous value.”

In the New Year, Riverside hopes to encourage members of the community to join their recently introduced FANS Network program (Friends, Allies, and Neighbors). The mission of the network will be to connect those with developmental disabilities with those who can help them accomplish tasks they would otherwise struggle to handle alone. It would not require commitment from those who join the network; it would simply inform them of needs. “This is a way for people to know if someone with a disability needs something as simple as a ride someplace,” Nichols said. “Or they might need help moving. Whatever people are able to do, it will enrich the lives of everyone who is able to get involved.” Nichols is hopeful that the new network will gain momentum in 2016, providing opportunities for inspiring relationships and a means of helping Riverside residents develop more connections in their community.