From the outset, Cascade’s day-to-day operations have hinged on the ability to provide services to our clients on an in-person basis. That all changed with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing us to pivot and rethink entirely how we connect with our clients, and in turn, connect them with the greater community. When state and local health authorities paused social gatherings, we immediately started working with participants in our Community Engagement program to ensure they had access to the technology and associated know-how necessary to allow for virtual communication. In last year, we’ve hosted online concerts, cooking classes, games, and Arts & Crafts classes to help connect our clients on a virtual basis, to their neighbors, friends and community connections.
Check out some feedback from our Community Engagement participants below:
Socializing Virtually
Self Portrait Collage Puppets
Zoom Cooking Classes
Zoom Lunch Dates
“When we first started having Community Guide (Engagement) on Zoom, everybody was uncomfortable. Now, Jimmy sets his alarm. It is the only connection we get with friends and family. He loves his friends. I see happiness and laughter in him that I don’t see any other time during the virus.”
– Parent of Cascade Client
“It’s important to be in Zoom for the cooking classes and talking to friends and getting along and joking around with each other. Just communicating with one another.”
– Judy, Cascade Client
“The gaming and joking around with friends is therapeutic. I can’t emphasize the importance enough. It’s the closest thing to reality you can get during the virus. I think it’s just the idea, in this atmosphere when we can’t get out, this is an opportunity to socialize and get together with friends. Jim gets tired of just being around Mom and Dad. It gives you a chance to laugh and release tension.”
– Parent of Cascade Client
“It’s important for us to be connected. With the Coronavirus we are not connecting . Zoom is a good way for us to connect with friends and laugh and pick on each other 😉
– James, Cascade Client
Socializing Virtually
“When we first started having Community Guide (Engagement) on Zoom, everybody was uncomfortable. Now, Jimmy sets his alarm. It is the only connection we get with friends and family. He loves his friends. I see happiness and laughter in him that I don’t see any other time during the virus.”
– Parent of Cascade Client
Self Portrait Collage Puppets
“It’s important to be in Zoom for the cooking classes and talking to friends and getting along and joking around with each other. Just communicating with one another.”
– Judy, Cascade Client
Zoom Cooking Classes
“The gaming and joking around with friends is therapeutic. I can’t emphasize the importance enough. It’s the closest thing to reality you can get during the virus. I think it’s just the idea, in this atmosphere when we can’t get out, this is an opportunity to socialize and get together with friends. Jim gets tired of just being around Mom and Dad. It gives you a chance to laugh and release tension.”
– Parent of Cascade Client
Zoom Lunch Dates
“It’s important for us to be connected. With the Coronavirus we are not connecting . Zoom is a good way for us to connect with friends and laugh and pick on each other 😉
– James, Cascade Client
