w h o l e self
t e e n s
This is a program like no other, because it is person-centered.
What does that mean? It means we are using YOUR ideas about what YOU want to learn,
instead of what you are used to---- here, learn this. We know full well that one size does not fit
all, and that is important to us. Joining this program means you have 3 other teens for the 6-week program.
you are committing to yourself.
you are committing your team.
you are committing to hanging out with friends.
you are committing to our city.
The world is pretty tough to navigate for neurotypical brains, so for our brains, it is even harder. Joining Whole Self means you are committing to figuring out what you love and makes you feel joyful, and with our (and your 4-person team) support.
t e a m
commitment to
socializing is
hard, & we know that. working on a team? also hard.
each week, you will meet as a group twice
for 2 hours each.
this is why
there are four
of you! this program
will give you a chance
to support one another as you learn how to work together as
a team.
the first meeting is for the four of you to come together and decide what you want to learn.
you can choose
from A LOT of options. this program is person-centered, meaning we are only going to teach you what you want to learn
during this time.
after telling us what
you would like to learn,
we will go to our database of humans who have told
us they want to teach, find the
right one, and get them in
to teach.
because you will all be spending so much time with our director, we want you to know we are aware of the potential for co-dependency, which is why we are inviting people from the community to teach, also because our director only has a few skill sets!
examples
learn Adobe Creative Suite
learn to draw on an ipad
learn to make a website
learn to roll sushi
learn to draw faces
learn Microsoft office
learn how to write a resume
learn how to play the drums
learn how to make art out of recycled materials
learn how to get involved in helping the community in various ways.
learn how to make cocktails
learn how soft skills
learn how to blow a picture up really big and print it
learn how to check email and respond
learn to bbq hamburgers
learn to help out with trash pickups in our local rivers
learn how to use transportation services in Columbus
learn how to do laundry
and pretty much anything else that we can
find someone to teach you something!
2 hrs with your
team to learn skills.
getting to know yourself
advocating for yourself
trying new things that you are afraid of
learning to check-in with yourself + making sure your needs are heard and met.
commitment to
s e l f
learning your rights
to accomodations and funding.
develop a gratitude practice.
explore mindfulness and calm down techniques made specifically for the A-team.
start a relationship with nature and learn how to
use it therepeutically.
understand your diagnosis.
all neurodivergent humans
are creatively inclined.
explore how this shows up
in your life.
our director,
mehri davis, comes with a
unique skills set. davis has worked
in the following settings-
kids daycamp - kids residential camp
kids residential camp for people wtih DD
adult residential camp for people with severe disabilities and violent behavioral issues. homeless, youth at risk, people with DD with extreme mental health diagnoses, one-on-one with people with barriers in almost all settings. she comes with a master's degree in education from ohio university, with a counseling mental health focus and 25+ years of studying , working with, and really enjoying this work. davis has also been a lifelong artist and has set up creative spaces for people with various barriers across the country, as well as starting and running the only art studio in the country that was completely managed by artists with developmental disabilities.
this organization is the culmination
of that work and is deeply
grateful for this role.
1 hr one-on-one
with director.
Columbus
commitment to
we know
that true, sustained
happiness is difficult, and
there is one HUGE factor
that changes
this.
purpose.
we will
explore what it means
to be helped all of your
life and now have the
opportunity to help others.
we will help you commit to
being a part of this community and combine the skills, interests, talents of all 4 of you
& create a project to serve
people in columbus
if you are
happy, but have nothing
to get excited about, the happiness is not
sustained.
BUT, if you
have purpose, you have learned ways to use your gifts to help
others.
this happiness
will sustain.
commitment to
socializing
we wil explore the
various ways to socialize + share stories of social
successes!
there are
LOTS of ways to socialize these
days!
learn your
love language
we do a weekly
hangout already, so you will be a part of this in
some way, and
also do some of
our own social stuff!
become more
aware of how your presence impacts
others, and what to do when you realize
you are out of energy and need to
leave a social situation. we
will equip you with the formalities
most people use when socializing, while also helping you see that the way you socialize with others is really up to you!