Getting Started at Max Higbee Center

Program Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Higbee Hikers Skill Share Healthy Lifestyles Skill Share Healthy Lifestyles Skill Share (July and August) Program Program Program Program Program 11:30 – 5:00 10am – 2:00pm 10am – 2: 00pm 10am – 2: 00pm 10am – 2: 00pm 10am – 2: 00pm

CAP CAP CAP CAP CAP 2:30 – 5:30pm 2:30 – 5:30pm 2:30 – 5:30pm 2:30 – 5:30pm 2:30 – 5:00pm

Weekend Drop-in Weekend Drop-in Program Program 5pm – 9pm 5pm – 9pm *** During summer break (end of June – end of August), Skill Share ends at 1:30pm and CAP starts at 1:30pm

Contacts

Kait Whiteside – Executive Email: [email protected] Phone: 360-733-1828 Director Doug Sacrison – Program Manager Email: [email protected] Phone: 360-333-4285

Taylor Arbuckle – Program email: [email protected] Phone: 360-201-9053 Manager Other program phone numbers: 360-306-1977 360-922-2450 Max Higbee Center Programs

Skill Share Program Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 10am - 2pm (Summer hours: 10am – 1:30pm)

Program Overview: The Skill Share Program is a place for community members, MHC staff, and MHC program participants to share their gifts, talents, and passions so that everyone can learn and have fun together. This program is filled with artistic exploration, life skills workshops for greater independence, The creative activities include pottery, water coloring, felting and more. The continued education and exploration activities are varied and take many forms such as science experiments, cooking classes, and life skills workshops.

Healthy Lifestyles Program Tuesday & Thursday, 10am - 2pm

Program Overview: The Healthy Lifestyles Program will create opportunities for participants to build and lead healthy lifestyles through a variety of fitness activities with adaptive options, setting and tracking goals, increased activity levels, nutrition education, activities that promote emotional health, and support in accessing health and fitness facilities.

Community Access Program Monday - Friday, 2:30pm - 5:30pm (Summer Hours: 1:30 – 5:30pm)

Program Overview: During CAP, Max Higbee staff lead participants on a variety of community excursions by using public transportation and walking routes to locations around town. This program aims to improve participants' access and engagement in the community and to support participants in achieve greater independence through practicing life skills. Activities include YMCA workouts, cooking classes, hikes, sports, library visits, art projects and much more!

Weekend Drop-In Program Friday & Saturday, 5pm – 9pm

Program Overview: This is a drop-in style program designed for people to socialize with friends and engage in both specialized in-house activities and community outings for a fun, safe and inclusive weekend evening. Activities include attending theater performances, karaoke, adaptive martial art classes, participating in the Bellingham ArtWalk, cooking classes, games, art projects, and more!

SPIN Dance 3rd Monday of the month, 6pm-8pm

Program Overview: At the SPIN Dances, you can always count on lively music provided by local bands or DJ's, a healthy snack at intermission, and FANTASTIC company!

****No SPIN Dance in July**** Recreation Mentor Program Scheduled individually

Program Overview: This program pairs up a MHC member with a Recreation Leader to receive one-on-one support to create an individualized recreation experience that can meet peoples' specific goals, needs, and interests. This program is highly flexible and allows for people to schedule sessions that are tailored and designed based on short-term and long- term goals. Some examples of goals that one could set for this program include: improved fitness, learning about new activities or life skills such as cooking, outdoor exploration, increased community engagement and socialization opportunities, channeling creativity, and more!

Higbee Hikers Saturdays in July-August, 11:30am - 5:00pm

Program Overview: This is a seasonal program offered July and August that explores our beautiful local trails. The group meets up at MHC and uses walking or bus routes to access the various trails in Whatcom County including Lake Padden Trails, the Interurban Trail, Stimpson Reserve and more. The program incorporates outdoor skills such as environmental stewardship, map reading and navigation, plant identification, healthy hiking snacks, and trail games. After a day on the trail with friends, the program ends with root beer, celebration, and relaxation at Boundary Bay's Garden.

Program Costs and Billing

 Skill Share Program: $10 per day

 Healthy Lifestyles Program: $10 per day

 CAP: $8 per day

 Weekend Drop-in: $6 per night or $30 per month

 Higbee Hikers: $15 per day

 Recreation Mentor Program: $15 per hour

 Additional fees are listed on calendars

MHC staff will keep attendance records throughout the month and MHC will send you a bill at the end of the month according to attendance. We can send the bill via standard mail or by email. Billing DDA is an option for some people who live at home with family and qualify for respite hours. MHC can provide partial or full financial aid to all individuals who need financial assistance to attend programs. We want all people to have access to quality recreational programming! Please talk to Kait if you would like to explore payment options or if you need financial assistance by phone: 360-733-1828 or email: [email protected]

****The only other additional costs for programs are for activities that have an entrance/admission fee, such as bowling or museum visits. Please look at calendars to see which days have additional costs. We try to keep additional costs to a minimum and no more than a few times a month for each program. Calendars

Program Managers create unique activity calendars each month. Be sure to look at the calendar before attending program in order to prepare for the activity and ensure highest level of participation! There is crucial information on the activity calendar such as extra entrance fees, start times and special outings. Calendars are distributed in the following ways:

 Online at maxhigbee.org (click on the program tab to find the activity calendar link)

 Hard copies are provided at the Center

 Mailed either by standard mail or email, depending on your billing preference

Managers constantly strive to include member ideas and feedbacks in the activity calendars. If you have an idea or would like to help plan or lead an activity, let a manager know and they can work with you on making it happen!

Meals/Snacks

MHC does not provide meals or snacks during program. It is very important that you bring a lunch to the morning programs (Daytime and 365 Fitness) and dinner to the weekend drop-in program. Be sure to pack snacks if you think you will need food during programs.

Transportation

MHC does not provide transportation to/from programs. You are responsible for setting up transportation either privately or through Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA). You may qualify for specialized transportation and/or reduced rates. Call WTA at or visit them at to find out more.

During programs, MHC groups either walk or take the bus to scheduled activities. Please be prepared to ride the bus during EVERY program. Bring a bus pass or $2 for a round trip.

Staff Support

Staff are trained and available to support you in programs so that you can participate as much as possible. Please communicate to staff if there are specific things they can help support you with in programs.

Areas that staff CANNOT support members:

 Bathrooming

 Administering medications  Feeding

 Intervention and de-escalation for violent/aggressive behavior

*If you need help with any of the above areas, please arrange to come with a family member or qualified caregiver who is trained and able to assist you.

Behavioral Plans

MHC staff are available to collaborate with members, families, and care providers to create an individualized behavioral plan for programs if needed or requested. These plans focus on the individual needs, program goals, and positive reinforcement. They are specifically designed to set members up for successful participation in programs. They can also be a tool to create consistent support for people if there is a behavior that is being addressed outside of Max Higbee Center. Please contact the Program Manager if you would like to set up a time to discuss creating a behavior plan.

What to Expect

During your first days attending Max Higbee Center, there will by many new faces, new routines, values and activities. This can be a lot to process while you are first getting started! Please talk to a Program Manager, Recreation Leader, or the Director if you need support in adjusting and feeling comfortable at Programs. We want you to have a positive, meaningful experience at Max Higbee Center and we will do our very best to make that happen!

YMCA Membership

Max Higbee Center partners with the YMCA to create access to the YMCA facilities to use both in programs and independently. MHC will provide free day passes for MHC activities planned at the YMCA. If you frequently attend MHC programs AND you would like to use the YMCA independently outside of programs, contact Kait to complete YMCA membership paperwork and MHC will pay for your membership!

Kait – [email protected], 360-733-1828