What is New Horizons?
It’s a year round, community based, socialization and recreation
program designed to expand the horizons of developmentally disabled adolescents
and adults. It’s meaningful and constructive leisure-time activities
with an accent on fun, independence and normalization. It provides much
needed respite care for parents and
care providers.
- To improve quality of life and add a meaningful dimension
to the participants’ lives.
- To help participants develop autonomous behavior,
self expression and self-control.
- To provide appropriate experiences to develop social
skills and improve desirable attitudes and habits.
- To provide specialized programs in a group setting
that will maximize personal growth and development.
Offers a place to make new friends, an atmosphere of acceptance
and opportunities to enjoy experiences typical to every
other non-disabled person. Participants gain social
skills, motor skills, language skills, camping and travel
skills, and group sharing skills.
Participants gain a sense of independence as they explore
their community and surrounding areas without the aide
of parents or other family members. They gain the satisfaction
of knowing that they, too, are capable of learning new
skills, making new friends, and taking care of their own
basic needs. Their lives are enriched through visits to
museums, theater productions, athletic events, educational
exhibits, amusement parks, and much more. They become recognized
as productive, significant human beings entitled to all
of life’s pleasures.
New Horizons is supported exclusively by participant fees and contributions.
Without government funding or private subsidy, scholarships cannot be
offered. This means many of the developmentally disabled persons in Orange
County who are least able to pay, do not have the opportunity to experience,
grow, and benefit from this program.
New Horizons is staffed by trained counselors and volunteers.
You can become a volunteer leader and help someone special,
enriching your own life and teaching valuable skills to
the participants. Volunteers must be 18 years of age and
older. If interested, please call the Volunteer Coordinator
Armando Arauza at (714) 852-6018 for additional information.
For information regarding the Inland Regional Center,
please contact (916) 654-1987 or check their website, www.dds.ca.gov/complaints |
