Mission
Balance has grown in its 28 years to supporting over 200 adults, children and youth throughout Ozaukee County. Balance is dedicated to improving the quality of life across the lifespan for persons with developmental disabilities.
Balance provides services that promote and respond to people’s personal goals, desires, needs and dreams, while balancing support and independence. The organization strives to empower the communities’ capacity to understand and embrace persons with developmental disabilities. Balance is committed to providing services that maximize individual potential, while acting as prudent stewards of our resources.
United Way of Northern Ozaukee-Funded Program: Balance Children’s Programs
Summer Recreation Program began over 15 years ago and is the only program of its kind in Ozaukee County. Each summer, Balance provides two three-week sessions for over 48 children with developmental disabilities between ages 5 and 15. The program has doubled in participants since 2017, and the county wait lists continue to grow.
Summer Recreation offers a unique opportunity for social connections within a child’s own community in a fun, inclusive way. It becomes a critical alternative to typical summer recreation programs, which does not provide necessary support for children with disabilities. The Balance program pairs children with volunteer staff mentors. Kids participate in community-based recreational activities, foster friendships and discover new opportunities to grow as an individual. Activities include swimming, museums, zoos, nature and parks, talent shows, art and picnics.
Social Skills Program runs two sessions weekly for 13-15 weeks during the school year for children between 5 and 17 with developmental disabilities. The groups collaborate with each other and staff mentors and focus on critical social connections, daily living skills, volunteer skills and participation in community-based settings for activities. Social Skills promotes personal growth, social interaction and new life experiences. Children are part of an exciting program where they can relax, hang out, foster friendships and partake in exciting new activities.
Goals
- To provide quality programming for 77 children’s program participants this year, with an option to add up to seven more children in each Social Skills Program from the Ozaukee County service waitlist. Criteria will be in final attendance and participation numbers.
- To cover programming, transportation and activity costs established in the Children’s Summer Recreation and Social Skills Program budget for 2020 vs. a significant loss in 2019. Criteria will be a balanced budget.
- Obtain a 90% satisfaction rating through surveys given to all families participating in both children's programs. Criteria will be survey results showing 90% satisfied or highly satisfied by respondents participating in both children's programs.
To learn more about the impact Balance is having on enriching the lives for people living with developmental disabilities, go to balanceinc.org.