Member Spotlight

Waves, Inc.

 

In this Member Spotlight, I had the pleasure of visiting Waves to learn more about the proactive work they are doing in Williamson County. Discover how they are continuously making waves in the community for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  


 

I couldn’t help but contain my smile as I walked into the Waves building in Franklin. “Tell Me Something Good” was playing from the speakers, a song I can’t say without singing in my head, and everyone was gathered in the common room grooving along to the beat. The chorus was sung loud, until someone stood up and told the whole room something good they had done that day. One tradition at Waves is to end the day with a positive, a small routine we could all try practicing.

Waves is celebrating their 45th Anniversary this year, a huge accomplishment for a grassroots movement that arose from a community need in Fairview in 1973. Community members created a program that would assist their daughters, sons, sisters and brothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a solution that would make waves in the community. The program-based structure still allows adults to focus on developing and increasing their life and work skills, with the goal of becoming more independent and obtaining employment.

Since 1973, Waves has grown and expanded their reach. Their new Recycling Program partners with more than 100 local businesses and helps raise awareness of employing adults with disabilities. They partner with local businesses for employment opportunities and job training. There are 8 Waves homes located throughout Williamson County that provide 24/7 residential support, and faces lit up when we discussed the “Apartment Guys” who live semi-independently in a local apartment complex. The Early Learning Program allows a specialist to assist families with children with disabilities, and that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.

Individuals have their own set goals while at Waves, and each day they are working towards completing them. Every task that an individual performs is an opportunity for them to fine tune their existing skills. At the end of the day, during “Tell Me Something Good”, individuals are not just boasting about something positive, they are working on improving their speaking and listening skills. This may seem small but for Waves individuals, daily tasks are done with a purpose, because there is always an opportunity to learn and grow.

Employment is the end goal for most Waves individuals, and that is what makes being in Williamson County so great. With our economic growth, we are seeing more businesses and employment opportunities than we ever have before. As a community, we need to be more proactive and help show these new employers that individuals with disabilities are capable of holding down a steady job. Waves also offers job coaching and training during transitional times. Meeting individuals where they cognitively and developmentally are, ensures that they have the ability to work through tasks on their own, setting them up for success.

One thing that we all can do to help promote employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, is to keep an open door. Allow individuals to come into your organization for a tour, perform mock interviews, and see what types of tasks they can help you accomplish. If you are a specialist in your area, offer to come into Waves during one of their Adult Day Programs and allow them to learn something new.

Emily Layton, Development and Community Relations Manager, and Angela Bartlett-Treece, Program Manager, want the community to know that Waves individuals are just like any other group of people. Each individual has their own unique personality. Their advice is to always keep an open mind, because there are endless opportunities to learn from someone different than you. We must continue to have conversations centered around intellectual and developmental disabilities, to raise awareness that there are still needs out there not being filled. Waves truly believes in each one of its individuals and they are working hard to create an inclusive community where we all work, learn, and play together.

 

To learn more about Waves, visit their website at wavesinc.com/, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates!

Photos taken from Waves’ Job Training Graduation from Sam’s Club Franklin/Cool Springs – Feb. 16, 2018


 

Story by Meg Hopkins, Marketing and Communications Specialist

Williamson, Inc.