Connect Leisure Services aiming to raise awareness for local neurodivergent support programs

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Connect Leisure Services hosted an open house, Feb. 16, aiming to raise awareness for the organization and the supports they provide to the local community.

“We are a day program for adults with neurodiverse abilities – just teaching them some life skills, some social skills, all of those elements,” explained Rina Hempel, founder of Connect Leisure Services. “We have been operating for five years, we have been in this building since 2023, and we have just expanded to include a support home.”

Hempel explained several of the families who utilize Connect Leisure Services were curious about the new facility, which was acquired approximately six weeks ago.

Among its other goals, the open house aimed to also attract the notice of potential sponsors to support their ongoing services and endeavors. 

“We are specifically seeking out corporate sponsorships to just help sustain the home because for the individuals (living there) of course, the operating costs are high, staffing, and the cost of living is high,” she said. “The individuals can’t possibly finance (the house) solely. We are looking at corporate sponsorship in whatever way that looks.”

Connect Leisure Services currently supports 20 families throughout the local community. Among these, 10 individuals are currently enrolled in the Strive Program through local schools. 

Hempel added there are 19 more students currently at the junior high level who will be joining the program in the near future.

Those with neurodiverse abilities and cognitive issues served by the programs include but are not limited to those with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. 

“At the clubhouse here, we use recreation therapy as the model of learning. We run baking programs, we run life skills programs, we run healthy habits, we do lots of activities in the community,” said Hempel. “We work on the emotional wellbeing, social skills, cognitive skills, physical abilities, all of those important elements.”

Regarding the imminent population increase anticipated to occur in Strathmore and the surrounding area in the next several years, she added the team is taking their programs one day at a time and growing where necessity is discovered. 

In addition to sponsorships, the organization is also seeking volunteers to help at the clubhouse with regular operations.

“There are lots of different ways people can add to programs,” said Hempel. “We started with one person and now we have 20 families, so the need is there for sure.” 

Further information about Connect Leisure Services and their programs has been made available online.