Village Community Services’ Village Experience Learning Center helps promote community readiness and participation for individuals with diverse abilities.

Village Community Services’ Village Experience Learning Center helps promote community readiness and participation for individuals with diverse abilities.

Building Communities

Village Community Services Makes a Difference for Those with Diverse Abilities

When people are part of a community, they have a sense of belonging and acceptance, feel safe, and have better mental and physical health. Operating with the ideal that everyone has value, Village Community Services is a place where people with diverse abilities find community.

“We strive to support clients so they can live to their full potential,” says Larissa Knopp, Resource Development Coordinator at VCS. “We build community.”

Village Community Services, offers support services and advocacy to individuals with diverse abilities. This support enables participants to achieve their right to belong, be valued, participate, make informed choices, and make a meaningful contribution to society. VCS purposely chooses terminology like diverse abilities over disabilities to focus on what individuals can do rather than what they can’t.

“We recognize their competency and potential, not their limitations,” says Knopp.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 
Through Village Community Services learning opportunities, individuals gain valuable skills in work readiness, independent living, and hard and soft jobs skills.

Through Village Community Services learning opportunities, individuals gain valuable skills in work readiness, independent living, and hard and soft jobs skills.

As one of their programs, VCS offers the Village Experience Learning Center, which helps promote community readiness and participation.

Through learning opportunities, individuals gain valuable skills in work readiness, independent living, and hard and soft jobs skills. Each option is tailored to the individual and based on collaboration. Training includes one-on-one and small groups, and through a collaborative effort, VCS can bring specialized training experiences into the classroom.

“We also offer activities that allow participants to socialize and meet others in the community,” says Knopp. “They can choose what they want and leave what they don’t.”

Such activities have included things like hiking events and social gatherings.

In addition to the Village Experience Learning Centre, which teaches life and job readiness skills through hands-on learning experiences, the VCS also offers Supported Employment, Residential Supported Living, and the Village Music and Arts program. Village Music and Arts has weekly jam sessions and monthly Evening with the Arts dances. It is also home to Voices of the Village, a performance ensemble that entertains audiences at festivals and other community events throughout Washington State.

Village Community Services, offers support services and advocacy to individuals with diverse abilities, including weekly jam sessions through Village Music and Arts.

Village Community Services, offers support services and advocacy to individuals with diverse abilities, including weekly jam sessions through Village Music and Arts.

For 55 years, VCS has been making a difference in the lives of individuals with diverse abilities. They provide residential supported living, life and job readiness training, supported employment services, and music and arts programming in Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties.

“We strive to support clients in skills development and confidence building so they can achieve their full potential and reach their own goals,” says Knopp. “We are very focussed on putting people first and not a label, and we want them to be 100 per cent active members of the community.”

Involvement in community events and activities helps those with diverse abilities learn new skills and gain confidence. Participation in non-segregated spaces allows individuals to contribute talents and be part of a more extensive support network.

For more information and to find ways you can contribute, check out:

Facebook: facebook.com/VillageCommunityServices/

Instagram: instagram.com/VillageCommunityServices

Giving Page: villagecommunitysvcs.networkforgood.com

Ronda Traut (she/her) Village Experience Learning Carter Coordinator rtraut@villagecommunitysvcs.org

Kris Mecko (she/her) Employment Services Director kmecko@villagecommunitysvcs.org

Syd Caplinger (they/them) Volunteer Coordinator scaplinger@villagecommunitysvcs.org

The news and editorial staff of Sound Publishing, Inc. had no role in the preparation of this post. The views and opinions expressed in this sponsored post are those of the advertiser and do not reflect those of Sound Publishing, Inc.

Sound Publishing, Inc. does not accept liability for any loss or damages caused by the use of any products, nor do we endorse any products posted in our Marketplace.

More in Snohomish County Gives

Crescent Roll, 1, plays with cat toy inside his enclosure at PAWS on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. Crescent Roll came to paws as a stray and his history is unknown but he loves pets and to play. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
PAWS’ Companion Animal Shelter offers dogs, cats and a new leash on life

Since 1967, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society has found homes for 150,000 dogs and cats.

Jeni Graves and her two sons Elijah, 3, left, and Isaiah, 5, right, walk into Wintertide Lights at the Everett Arboretum  on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Evergreen Arboretum’s Wintertide Lights sparkle into fifth year

The free event at Legion Park in Everett is open 4-8 p.m. daily through December.

Jeanne Hoek hangs clothing on racks at the Assistance League of Everett’s Thrift Store on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Assistance League of Everett has ‘Nordstrom of thrift stores’

Shoppers get sweet deals and help fund many causes that help others.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

Founded in 1894, YWCA has grown into the region’s largest nonprofit focused on the needs of women. Photo by Jovelle Tamayo for YWCA.
A lifeline for women in crisis: YWCA’s Pathways Program changes lives

Snohomish County YWCA provides shelter and support for women

Working in Everett for 61 years, ChildStrive partners with families to empower them and foster lasting progress
Family-centered approach supports early youth development in Everett

The programs support families in the comfort of their own homes, creating safe spaces for growth.

The Boys & Girls Club in Snohomish County creates a safe, welcoming space for thousands of kids to learn, grow, and dream big through programs ranging from STEM education to athletic activities.
Shaping tomorrow’s leaders in Snohomish County through care and support

Safe spaces and programs help Snohomish County kids build confidence, skills and brighter futures.

Staff and cafe members celebrating the nine year anniversary of the cafe this past April. Photo courtesy of Everett Recovery Cafe.
A place of healing: How Everett’s Recovery Café is helping transform lives

For 10 years, Everett Recovery Café has empowered Everett residents through compassion and support

The early 2000s saw the expansion of the women & children’s shelter, now a family shelter, serving up to 26 families including dads, and approximately 25 single women. Photo courtesy of Everett Gospel Mission.
Everett mission helps people get off the streets throughout Snohomish County

Community-funded since 1961, the mission offers shelter, meals, and pathways to recovery

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.