Dail Frates

In 2010, Zack’s Place (ZP) served over 25 individuals with special needs on a weekly basis with over 25 hours of regular weekly programming.  Our growth has been nonstop since we opened our doors in 2006, so much so that we were required to relocate to a larger location in July of last year. Our new space is not only larger but the layout lends itself to our ever increasing programming with the emphasis on the visual and performing arts and exercise.  Volunteer participation has also increased with over 100 people offering their services in various ways.

The importance of the mission of ZP is evident in the joyous faces and spirits of the people we serve.  As executive director, I am privileged to share the joy and triumphs of our participants. Following is a “peek” at what our usual day looks like at ZP. 

Our day starts at 10:00 A.M. with meetings with local school teachers or administrators, our own board members, financial or volunteer supporters, fundraising committees, programming contractors, and staff. Our art director, Kyuhee Bussod, and I, busily prepare for the day’s programming, and do other administrative tasks.  Some of our post graduate participants start arriving at 11 A.M., although our programming officially starts at noon.  The pre-noon crowd spends this hour having lunch, reading, doing art, or just “hanging out” with their friends.  The post-noon crowd, which usually consists of between five and 12 participants,  start work on art projects or other assigned jobs, with the Woodstock Union High School Community Classroom Students arriving by bus soon after.   Everyone arriving is thrilled to see their friends and “high-fives” and happy greetings are exchanged by all including those of our group who are technically non-verbal. There is an excitement and a happy frenzy about being together. On Fridays at 1 P.M., Kyuhee begins an art project with the post graduate participants that highlight the particular talents and abilities of each participant. More details of the amazing art program at ZP are included in Kyuhee’s article herein.   At 2:30, we clean up and have a healthy snack.  Peggy Ogilvy, the Woodstock Elementary School music teacher, enlivens our Friday schedule with a music program that includes singing and preparation for the many musical productions performed for the community at large each year. These practices include screen play, choreography, costuming, prop creation, and choice of music with everyone being involved in each step of the process.  This program is truly the highlight of our week closely followed by the popularity of our art program.  Our musical program includes involvement, not only of our participants, but also many people from the community and mainstream students from the elementary and high schools. Fridays at 5 leaves us excited and humming our musical tunes as we pack up and join our families and caregivers for the weekend but knowing that come Monday, we will all be back at ZP banding together with our friends for a new week packed with activities that include yoga, exercise, dance, music, and all kinds of art, but most importantly, being with people we know and like and who know and like us back.  You see, ZP has truly grown into what we envisioned when we opened its’ doors just a few short years ago, a place where people with developmental challenges can meet and forge relationships with meaning and commitment to each other, and where they can enjoy being a part of the community at large.

Below is an outline of some of the activities that are included in our regular programming.

Annual Report Continued…