The newly formed Special Needs Adult Program (SNAP) will meet monthly for a night of games, snacks and socializing.
Friends and family of adults with intellectual disabilities will often describe the difficulty of finding programs where those adults can simply have fun and meet new friends.
While school systems and other support groups can provide programs for younger children with intellectual disabilities, when those children grow into adults, many can find themselves more isolated, with fewer opportunities for socializing.
However, a new program in Evesham Township is tackling the issue head on.
Starting Jan. 9, Evesham Township is partnering with the newly formed Special Needs Adult Program (SNAP) to launch a series of events where adults with intellectual disabilities can meet at the Gibson House Community Center for a monthly night of games, snacks and socializing.
Marlton resident Rose Lynch suggested the program to the township when she recently was looking for more events where her adult brother with intellectual disabilities could keep active.
Lynch, who serves as the volunteer manager at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility and Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, said the township welcomed her suggestion for a monthly program with open arms.
“We’re always trying to find new opportunities, and I figured if we can’t find them, let’s make some,” Lynch said.
Lynch, along with local volunteer Meryl Schindler, said the two already have monthly SNAP events planned for the second Tuesday of each month from January through May.
Whether it’s the game night scheduled for Jan. 9, the Valentines Day Dance on Feb. 13, an Arts and Crafts Night on March 13, Karaoke and Yoga event on April 10 or a Carnival Night on May 10, Lynch said the events are designed to give adults with intellectual disabilities a chance to be entertained while hopefully forming some new friendships.
“They’re just activities for adults with intellectual disabilities to get together and meet new people,” Lynch said. “Making new friends can be a challenge, so we wanted to give them an opportunity to do that.”
According to Allison Bittner of the township’s department of Public Affairs and Senior Services, Evesham Township was also pleased to be able to provide this new type of program.
“This is something that we felt was definitely in line with our mission of reaching out to the community, and we felt a program like this could help us reach out to a piece of the community we might not have reached before,” Bittner said.
To learn more about SNAP and the monthly social events for adults with intellectual disabilities, contact (856) 985–9792 or email snap at eveshamSNAP@gmail.com.
Events are open to all adults with intellectual disabilities ages 21 and older, including those who do not live in Evesham Township.
Events will be held at the Gibson House Community Center, 535 E. Main St., from 7 to 9 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.
Events are scheduled from January through May.
