Making the Weekend Their Own: Citizens Relaunches Weekend Respite
Citizens Options Unlimited is once again offering a Weekend Respite on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Cissy Birnbaum Building at the AHRC Nassau Brookville campus. Respite offers families time to recharge, while people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) spend time pursuing their interests. Options include playing sports and board games, going for walks, working on crafts, and singing karaoke – and whatever else can be dreamed up.
“I like to watch movies and go for walks,” said Aidan Osorio, who typically attends the Weekend Respite on Sundays.
On April 12, many of the attendees were looking forward to a picnic in the park, an idea suggested by Laura Tantillo, who participates in Weekend Respite. However, when rain and wind changed their plans, the group quickly improvised, spending the day singing karaoke — another one of Laura’s ideas — and playing Just Dance on the projector.
“This is a relaxed situation,” said Aaron Arasmo, Respite Supervisor. “This is really for the parents to have respite and the people who attend tell us what they want to do.”
Weekend Respite offers a change of pace, shifting from more structured activities to ones of choice and interest.
While staff offer ideas to get things started, Aaron explained, people often arrive with their own ideas — and staff are always sure to respect their “yes” and “no” choices.
Interested in Weekend Respite? Contact Savita Sharma, Director of Family Support Services at ssharma@citizens-inc.org.