Treasure House

Employment and life skills: individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (idd) face systemic barriers that limit their ability to live independently, find employment, and engage in their communities. In maricopa county, arizona, only 30.1% of adults with idd are employed compared to 72.6% of adults without. Many individuals with idd are relegated to part-time, low-paying positions or unpaid volunteer work due to a lack of opportunities. With over 475,000 young adults in arizona living with idd, such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning disorders, and traumatic brain injury, strategies for support and social inclusion are desperately needed (cdc 2022). Programs like treasure house's employment and life skills development program, based on the principles of supported employment, are an effective intervention for these challenges. Supported employment leads to more competitive, higher-paying employment opportunities for individuals with idd compared to other job-readiness training programs. One study published in the national library of medicine found that between 40% and 60% of individuals enrolled in supported employment successfully obtain competitive employment, compared to less than 20% of similar individuals not enrolled in a supported employment program. Treasure house's employment and life skills training program equips all 30 of our glendale-based residents with the skills, tools, and support necessary to achieve independence, stable employment, and active community engagement. The program is guided by three core objectives: - to develop a personalized life plan for 100% of residents. - to ensure at least 75% of residents secure meaningful employment (defined as long-term, at or above minimum wage); - to improve 100% of residents' self-perception of their overall quality of life. Program implementation includes several key components. 1. Life coaches meet individually with each resident to conduct personalized assessments that evaluate their strengths, interests, and developmental needs, resulting in actionable life plans tailored to their unique goals. 2. Residents participate in skill development workshops, which build essential life skills such as hygiene, cooking, social interactions, and professional development. 3. Residents gain experience with treasure house's dedicated partners, including amazon, harkins theatres, and the arizona humane society, providing valuable hands-on experience in real-world settings. 4. Ongoing support is provided through daily one-on-one mentorship with life coaches to monitor progress, address challenges, and celebrate milestones, while community assistants help residents maintain routines, engage in fitness activities, and connect with the broader community. At treasure house, we measure program success by our results on resident surveys and employment outcomes. - 85.6% of treasure house's residents work part-time for minimum wage (10- 20 hours per week). - 14.4% are unemployed but actively seeking employment. - 6.8% work full-time for minimum wage and are working toward career or educational advancement goals. Treasure house's employment and life skills training program is ongoing and is largely supported by resident fees and their own work income. Our generous scholarship program provides nearly 52% of each resident's monthly fees and gives us the opportunity to extend treasure house's mission to a diverse population. Treasure house's diversified fundraising plan includes corporate, foundation and private donations, as well as our signature special events.

Health and wellness: treasure house partners with am nutrition to provide an in-house registered dietician to work with our residents. The dietician is an integral part of our health and wellness and life skills program, taking a holistic approach to serving each individual resident by creating tangible life roadmaps with actionable goals, and community involvement opportunities. This includes individual coaching on health and wellness goals, employment and educational experiences, and independent life skills training. Nutrition related problems, in particular obesity and chronic health issues, are more common in individuals with idd than in the general population. Nutritional intervention like this has been shown as an effective preventative method against poor physical and mental health. Nutritional well-being is a recognized factor in maintaining health, mental well-being, and improving overall quality of life and longevity. Providing our residents with the tools necessary to make healthy choices with a balanced diet and exercise to fit their individual needs embodies our mission of providing our residents with the support to lead successful and fulfilling lives. The in-house dietician works in conjunction with treasure house's executive chef brian robison, along with our life coaches, to enhance residents' well-being through quality customized nutrition and wellness plans and customized food services that meet each resident's specific needs. Residents meet once a week, four hours a time, covering nutritional education on food choices, nutritional health, and shopping for a balanced, healthy diet. With access to our community garden and chef robinson's strong repertoire of cooking, education, and individualized attention, residents gain a critical understanding and enjoyment of what healthy nutrition can truly look like.