The BraveHearts organization has been developing programs since 2010, and recently they've developed the BraveHearts Center for Place and Purpose to create programs beneficial to young adults with developmental disabilities who've aged out of traditional schooling.
Danilea Werner, BraveHearts director and associate professor of social work, said there are currently two BraveHearts programs.
“The first is Expressions of a BraveHeart, which is a fine arts program for teens who have developmental disabilities and that’s been going on since 2010 and we do that every semester," Werner said. "Our new program, BraveHearts Center for Place and Purpose, is a health and wellness program for young adults who have moderate to severe life challenges that have aged out of traditional school programs.”
An individual with developmental disabilities can no longer attend traditional school when he or she turns 21, and Werner said she's seen teenagers in the Expressions of a BraveHeart program who had nowhere to turn when they aged out.
“During the day their parents were trying to piece together things for them to do that would resemble a program that would keep them healthy and well and academically involved and work on life skill development because there was nothing in the Auburn area," Werner said. "Right now, we are it.”
Werner said the BCPP has been a beneficial resource to these young adults who could only rely on singular events put together for them before, such as the Special Olympics.
“They have special Olympics bowling and tennis and basketball," Werner said. "You can piece together those things, but there was nothing comprehensive that was a daily program for these young adults.”
Werner said she and Angela Burque, associate clinical professor and social work field coordinator, came together to create the BraveHearts program in partnership with the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn. They now have 12 people working for the program Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The idea is to keep these young adults engaged and keep them in the community and included in the University community," Werner said. "They’re walking on Auburn’s campus. You will see them every day if you are looking.”
Werner said part of these young adults' routine with the Center is walking around campus, usually twice a day, and participating in different outdoor activities.
While volunteers are an important part of the day-to-day functions of BraveHearts, Werner said they also have a community sponsorship program.
“Community sponsorships are when an organization will commit at least two people once a week for an hour minimum to volunteer," Werner said. "The AU women’s soccer team sent a lot of people and they would come work with us on Wednesday mornings and play soccer and hangout with all of the young adults.”
Alpha Psi Omega's Delta chapter participated as an October sponsor as well, Werner said.
“We’re constantly looking for sponsors because part of our goal goes with the Auburn University mission to increase diversity and inclusion and truly becoming an inclusive environment," Werner said.
Werner said BCPP promotes and helps develop life structure, self-esteem and community participation.
“We do yoga every day and the walking," Werner said. "We have a step-counter that we use to count steps. There’s academic lessons and those could be stretched out over a week.”
BCPP is currently working on a lesson plan about the life cycle of a pumpkin including dissections and seed studies.
“We try to make it theme-specific," Werner said.
BCPP has non-academic lessons as well in music, sports, fine arts and topics their volunteers can help with, Werner said.
“We do a combination of health, academic and the structure so that we create a community within our community and we include everyone," Werner said. "We also foster friendships and relationships.”
Werner said while volunteering benefits students, especially those in social work, it also helps the young adults in BCPP develop skills and friendships.
“To get them out of isolation and get them away from home is rewarding," Werner said. "Their parents have to work, so they were watching five movies a day and had no interaction. Now we see them out and making friendships, and their families have such relief to have a place where their young adult can go. That’s rewarding.”
BCPP's greatest challenge is "always funding," Werner said.
“We are constantly writing grants and taking grants, so that’s the most challenging because we feel like we’re doing something so important and we want to keep our doors open long-term," Werner said.
Werner said the Auburn community has been very inviting, and students from every major have shown interest.
“We as a university have such a heart for service," Werner said. "It is in our creed where we talk about the importance of human touch. That is what we do."
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