ASP Laguna Chapter Launches HOME Life Program

ASP Laguna Chapter launches H.O.M.E. Life Program on April 18, 2010. HOME stands for Harnessing Options in Managing Everyday Life. The program aims to:

1) Assess the extent of how PWAs are able to manage a 24-hour schedule on their own, with the least amount of supervision and 2) Explore possible residential options for PWAs in an enabling community.

The HOME Life Program will commence in batches. The first and second batches will be composed of all male boarders, while the third and final batch will be all-female. Boarders will be staying for 5 days and 5 nights.

ASP Laguna Chapter President Ms. Rizalinda Cansanay welcomes the arrival of the H.O.M.E. Life boarders

From Autism Resource Center (ARC), Laguna, there will be six (6) boarders. Three (3) other boarders each from the following partner schools, Holy Rosary College in Sta. Rosa City, Hope Intervention Center in Calamba City and Kids Spot Intervention Center in San Pablo City will be joining them.

HOME Life is part of ASP Laguna’s “A Sustainable Work-Live-Play Program for Young Adults with Autism.” This program is funded by United Parcel Service (UPS), through the ASP National Office. ASP Laguna Chapter runs the program at ARC or The Autism Resource Center. Two (2) other projects of the program include Food and Messenger Services.

The ARC Diner had a soft opening last March 16, 2010. It now serves lunch from Tuesdays till Fridays, 10 am to 2 pm. The diner also sells snack items and bottled soda. Five (5) young adults with autism are trained in Food Service and now compose the kitchen crew.

then opening of ARC Diner and Michael and JR man the food counter, with their job coach, Ms. Vay. It is strictly self-service, “Pay as you order, and put your trays on the buss table

With a steady stream of customers from the neighborhood, ARC Diner also receives food orders. The Messenger Service crew makes deliveries, either on foot or on bike. Both projects are supervised with trainers and job coaches.

Ian Lopez (left) makes food delivery to customers in the neighborhood while Mico Ramos (right) makes food delivery to employees of a neighborhood bank

These young adults will join other HOME Life boarders from 5pm until they retire for the night. By 8 am the next morning, they walk back to ARC to report for work, which is just a walking distance away. A HOME supervisor oversees the boarders and accesses their progress. The HOME Life House will be open for 3 weeks – April 18 to May 7.

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ASP continues to work hard for the future of persons with autism and their families. ASP Chapters need your support to continue their projects and services. Be an Angel for Autism. Write us at autismphils@gmail.com or call us at 7-903-5496. Or contact ASP Laguna Chapter at asplagunachapter@yahoo.com.