WHOLE LIFE SERVICES

SERVING THE SHENANGO VALLEY, GREENVILLE / NORTHERN MERCER COUNTY, LAWRENCE COUNTY, AND GROVE CITY

AMOUNT DONATED: $750

Whole Life Services provides comprehensive services to people who are often ignored and denied access to the community — adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Because the federal government mandates that these individuals engage and participate in community activities, we focus on opportunities that remove barriers to community access and inclusion, including living in single-family homes, having community jobs, and actively being part of our community. Our goal is to create pathways to jobs, spark homegrown innovation, and ensure that our area be a place where individuals with disabilities can enjoy an everyday life.

MAKE A GIFT

Giving Week Progress:

FUNDRAISING GOAL: $5,000

Programs Supported by Your Donations

As part of our mission to provide community-inclusive activities for people with disabilities, Whole Life Services was instrumental in starting a local public makerspace. Known as The Valley FabLab, this makerspace offers all people — both with and without disabilities — opportunities to explore their unique creative talents and to develop their own small businesses. The FabLab supports local artists and the creative microbusiness community (artists, artisans, crafters, makers, hobbyists) by providing the space, tools, classes, and resources to share ideas and designs, and to create and produce items for personal use or sale. The FabLab provides public access to digital manufacturing equipment that people might not otherwise be able to afford or to learn on their own. These include 3D printers, laser/vinyl cutters, large-format printers, CNC equipment, sewing machines, computers with design software programs, etc., that use modern production processes. In this way, the FabLab showcases people who are promoting local production, who are helping to make the Shenango Valley an active maker center that incubates small businesses, and who are creating a more equitable community. To operate this inclusive makerspace, we welcome public funding to support the FabLab and to foster inclusive community activities for people with disabilities.

Needs that Cannot beMet without Your Help

Whole Life Services receives fees for services provided directly to individuals with disabilities and autism receiving government funding. While the government mandates that service agencies provide community-inclusive programs, it does not fund these activities. The FabLab offers individuals community-inclusive opportunities to create and produce items, which promote their self-esteem and pride, and validate their place in the community. To fund FabLab activities and for materials used by our individuals, we rely on private donations, grants, and fundraisers. Because of our individuals’ increased interest and participation in the FabLab, we now have a greater demand and need to fund their activities.