Our Programs

Our three programs offer a support system for people living with the effects of brain injury. We provide a place where people are members of a clubhouse, not patients or clients. It is a place of belonging and fitting in - a place where you are always welcome.

The programs provide:

• Instruction in communication
• Social and behavioral skills
• Daily living skills
• Compensatory strategies
• Vocational and career training

Programs

• Beacon House - Hampton Roads
  Beacon House, supported by state general funds administered by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, as well as private donations, is a community-based clubhouse program for people living with the effects of brain injury. At Beacon House, which serves the Hampton Roads area, individuals can learn or regain skills necessary to live a productive and empowering life. Through contributing to every aspect of the clubhouse, members gain confidence and self-respect. They develop meaningful friendships and perform work that is important to them and to the success of the clubhouse community in which they live.

Members may participate in two areas to help them learn new skills and increase productivity:

• Communications
  Members produce a newsletter and complete mailing tasks.
  
  
• Culinary
  Members plan menus, write grocery lists, compare ads and clip coupons, shop for grocery and cook the meals. They also sell coffee and snacks and carry out cash in-cash out tasks.

What is a Clubhouse?

A Clubhouse, modeled after the Clubhouse concept initially used by Fountain House in New York City in 1948, is a place where people with brain injury disabilities come together in a restorative environment to work, socialize and support one another. Our members and staff work side by side to manage and run our programs, allowing members to improve their communication, as well as their job and social skills.

The Clubhouse model is structured around four basic beliefs:

• Everyone needs to feel connected to a community; thus, the notion of membership is important.
• Everyone needs to know that he or she is expected some place on a daily basis.
• Everyone needs to feel needed; that one's presence is important to others.
• Everyone needs to believe there is at least one place where he or she is truly wanted.

• No Limits - Eastern Shore
  No Limits, located in Onancock on Virginia's Eastern Shore, is a community-based day program for people living with the effects of brain injury. Community-based transitional day programs are non-residential, structured programs usually offered during business hours. These programs are intensive and focus on independent living skills, community re-integration and workforce re-entry. Services can include instruction in communication, social and behavioral skills, daily living skills, compensatory strategies and vocational/career training. Day programs work closely with vocational rehabilitation services to bridge the gap for those survivors in need of more intensive training so they can return to paid employment. The Eastern Shore Day Program is supported by grants, state general funds administered by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services and private donations.

  Visitors to No Limits will notice that members of the small group are proud of their gardens, both indoor and out, which are grown in raised containers so they can be maintained from wheelchairs.

Social Club

• friendAble Social Club
  Initially funded through a Sentara Health Foundation Grant.
  The friendAble Social Club, funded through a grant from the Sentara Foundation, is a safe fun place where persons with disabilities can come to visit with old friends and meet new ones. Held at Beacon House, members share laughter and camaraderie as they participate in such activities as Karaoke, board games and music. To learn about upcoming friendAble activities, visit the Events page.
  

 

If you are looking for a speaker to talk to your group about TBI:

• High school driver's education presentations
  Several of Beacon House members present programs to educate high school driver's education students about the dangers of making poor choices while driving and how their lives have changed as a result of their risky behaviors. These choices may include such behaviors as driving under the influence, confronting enraged drivers or driving while fatigued. To request a speaker, contact Joann Mancuso, Director of Programs, at 757-631-0222 or joann@maryfoundation.org.
• Elementary school programs
  Joann Mancuso, Director of Programs, visits schools to present fun, informative programs on the brain and brain injury. Joann even makes a brain mold from gray gelatin to show children how the brain feels and help them understand how vulnerable it is to injury. Contact Joann at 757-631-0222 or joann@maryfoundation.org
• Youth education programs on brain injury prevention and safety
  The Mary Buckley Foundation provides speakers to address youth groups such scouts, sports teams, football teams, basketball coaches and student groups to teach them about preventing brain injuries and safety. In addition to the driving presentation described above, we discuss biking, skateboarding and scooter safety. To request a speaker, contact Joann Mancuso, Director of Programs, at 757-631-0222 or joann@maryfoundation.org.

Be sure to see our newsletter for a list of our newest sponsors!