5 minute read
Growing Community
Willow Tree Supports delivers decade of service to Shawnee community.
article by Kari Williams
photos by Sarah Reeves
For the past decade, Willow Tree Supports has infused the Shawnee community with the resources and support for adults with special needs.
Co-director Patty Long retired as a special education coordinator in 2013, and she knows the need for services post-high school—and that meaningful participation in activities helps those with special needs continue as lifelong learners.
“It made sense to look at a day service for adults with developmental disabilities, and in that type of business we needed a RN. And Connie (Morris) is my sister-in-law,” Long says of her co-director. “She was also at the point (of) looking for something different, so we started Willow Tree Supports.”
A few years later, Willow Tree Supports’ coordinator Jill Groner joined the staff.
Located off K-7 at 23733 W. 83rd Terrace, Willow Tree Supports currently serves about 70 people total with approximately 40 people taking part each day in its day service.
“It seemed like a real good fit for us to be in the area,” says Morris, a registered nurse. “We’ve been able to expand from half of the building to the entire building.”
Organic Growth
Its growth has come through word of mouth, according to Long.
“Individuals who do well here are the ones who like to stay busy and engaged and want to learn,” Long says. “As a former teacher, [I’m excited] that in schools many of our individuals weren’t ready to learn some things because they’re developmentally delayed. So now in their 30s, they’re wanting to understand more. They get it now.”
The organization, Long says, also offers supportive employment and helps people find jobs in the community. But she says “meaningful engagement” is the best description of what the organization does for its clients, whether educational, vocational or social. Topics can range from what to do if there’s a fire or tornado to dealing with grief and consent.
Large group activities—discussing the news or cheering on the Kansas City’s professional sports teams, for example—are offered to help participants learn skills needed to be in a social setting with lots of people.
Engagement also extends into other areas of the community, such as Willow Tree Supports’ longstanding relationship with St. James Academy. Katie Walters, director of community and a theology teacher at the academy, says a staff member recommended the organization be included in the academy’s annual Serve Day.
That included sending “houses” of 20–25 students, from freshmen to seniors, to organizations in the community, among them Willow Tree Supports.
“I just think it is so powerful for our young people,” Walters says.
A women’s faith-sharing group that Walters sponsors also partners with Willow Tree Supports. In both instances, Walters says Willow Tree Supports invites the students to bring a program or activity for the clients. Past lessons and activities have focused on friendship, encouragement and positive self-talk.
“We tell those students (that) really what matters most when you walk into this partnership is you are going to meet some awesome individuals,” Walters says.
Willow Tree Supports embodies the idea that every person is valuable “as a member of society” and can contribute to society, Walters says.
“You have something to offer and something to receive from your greater community, and I think Willow Tree models that for us,” she says. “I see our students learning the lesson of ‘It’s important that we all have similarities and that we all have differences.’ Some are more noticeable than others, but we also all have different strengths, and we all have different weaknesses.”
Part of the Community
Willow Tree Supports is affiliated with Johnson County Developmental Support, which is connected to Medicaid with its mission that states people need to participate in the community. In some cases, this means four to five people will go to a business or residence and complete a service that they’re paid for, such as cleaning.
“We have individuals at Price-Chopper,” she says. “We go and support them as their job coach. … Many (are employed) in Shawnee because it’s close. We do support with job coaching throughout.”
Willow Tree Supports also has working relationships with the Shawnee Civic Centre, area high schools and the Shawnee Fire Department.
Deputy fire chief Corey Sands says he ran into an opportunity where he and some of the fire crews would put together informational packets to distribute.
“Their clients love to help and we love to help,” he says. “And really they help us protect our community. … We’ll send the fire crew up there to pick up the packs and hang out with the clients.”
Community Partners
• Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City
• Johnson County Community Developmental Disabilities Organization
• Lakeview Village
• Meals on Wheels
• New Hope Food Pantry
• Special Olympics
• Sunrise Senior Living
• Starfish Project
• St. James Academy
For More
Willow Tree Supports
23733 W. 83rd Terrace
Shawnee, KS 66227
913-353-1970
www.willowtreesupports.com/mission
Day Service Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
