About the Program
G.R.O.W. values an evidence-informed, person-centred and goal-oriented approach to supporting life skills development. Using an assets-focused lens, the program seeks to capitalize and build upon the existing strengths, interests and abilities of our participants. In addition to an emphasis on pursuing individual, self-identified goals, participants engage in experience-focused learning in the following modules.
Modules
Life Management
Participants have the opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and skills in day-to-day community living activities including cooking, cleaning, laundry, home management, money management, and safety in the living space. Participants are supported in developing and maintaining personal schedules to gain experience in managing the demands and responsibilities of adult life. Depending on the individual, other areas of focus may include building foundational skills in self-determination (e.g. exercising choice, voicing opinions, making decisions), self-regulation, everyday problem-solving, and self-advocacy.
Social Skills
The program offers a small group environment in which participants have the opportunity to build social skills including interpersonal problem solving, communication, and managing boundaries and relationships. Emphasis is placed on the situatedness of social learning and a problem-solving rather than rule-based approach to skill development is favoured. Participants are supported in building social connections and a sense of community.
Health and Healthy Living
Participants explore and establish healthy lifestyle habits and routines and are supported in overcoming environmental barriers to health and wellbeing. Personal goals in this area may be related to physical activity, personal hygiene and self-care, managing stress, anxiety or low mood, as well as other more safety-oriented independent community living skills such as evaluating personal health status and learning basic first aid in the living space.
Leisure Skills
Participants have the opportunity to explore and identify leisure interests and to build skills and experience in recreation through self-directed engagement in a variety of activities. Community mobility skills may be a learning focus such as using the city bus or navigating pedestrian routes. Participants plan and participate in a variety of community outings such as swimming, group fitness, yoga, arts, sports, and community classroom events among others.
Vocational Skills
Depending on the individual, vocational skills learning may include anything from pre-vocational skills development (e.g. identifying vocational interests, social expectations in the workplace) to establishing and maintaining work or volunteer placements in diverse community spaces.