Creating Community Through Day Support Services

Every morning, Jordan starts his day with a familiar routine. At 8:30 a.m., Metro Move pulls up in front of Jordan’s apartment. The driver greets Jordan by name and helps him settle in for the short ride to the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion in New Hope. Jordan has been coming to the center as part of their Day Support Services for a few months now.

“It’s close to where I live,” Jordan says, “and it feels like it’s part of my neighborhood. Not far away or hidden. That matters to me.”

When he arrives, Jordan is welcomed by his support staff and peers – a group that feels more like family. First stop: the kitchen to place his packed lunch in the fridge and grab a glass of water.

Today’s morning activity is art. Jordan settles in with his group around a sunlit table and begins painting abstract pieces using cool colors, inspired by a recent conversation about emotions. “I like painting because it helps me say things I don’t always have words for,” Jordan shares.

At 10 a.m., it’s time to head out. The group hops in the van and drives to Feed My Starving Children, a local volunteer site where they’ll spend the next two hours packing food for kids around the world. Volunteering here is one of Jordan’s favorite parts of the week.

“I get to help people,” he says. “And I get to do it with my friends.”

By noon, it’s back to the center for lunch. Jordan pulls his sandwich from the fridge and chats with a friend about the weekend. The room is filled with laughter, inside jokes, and stories – the small but meaningful moments that make up real community.

After lunch, Jordan’s group gathers for a conversation about the weather. Their Lifeworks support staff uses photos and maps to talk about clouds, temperature, and the week’s forecast. Jordan, who’s always had an interest in storms, chimes in with a fact about thunder he recently looked up.

At 2:30 p.m., Metro Move returns to take Jordan home. The ride is quiet and peaceful. Jordan feels a sense of satisfaction – a day filled with creativity, giving back, and learning. Most of all, a day spent in the community.

“I like coming to Lifeworks,” Jordan says. “It helps me feel like I’m part of everything.”

About the Series

This post is part of our new blog series: “A Day at the Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion – New Hope.” Each story in the series reflects real experiences shared with us by people who visit the center – whether for Day Support, Employment, In-Home or Navigation Services, or stopping by for a training, education sessions, or community event.

To honor the privacy of individuals and highlight the many ways people engage with the space, names and details are blended to paint a fuller picture of what accessing a Center for Disability Inclusion looks like in everyday life.

Other Posts in this Series

Finding the Right Support Through Navigation Services