for people like Michael

On the day Michael met his Mary Centre support worker, they discussed what they would work on together. The list included laundry, house cleaning and community safety skills, hand washing, using a digital clock, healthy eating, household safety rules and memorizing the cell phone numbers of Michael's family members. Later, they added exercise, communication and social skills to the list.

They work together to come up with ideas for the best ways to learn. Michael and his support worker go for walks with his dog, chatting along the way, addressing Michael's responsibilities in a fun setting. He taught his support worker a card game and in turn, she makes learning fun for him.

In less than two months, Michael memorized his mom's cell phone number, improved his reading of a digital clock, learned to dial 911, identified traffic signs, upgraded his home safety skills and learned some basic literacy. His support worker gives Michael "high fives" when he learns to do something new!

Every week, Michael looks forward to their time together.