|
Synapse House
by Deborah Giesler
Executive Director, Synapse House.
Synapse House is a nonprofit organization, established in 2014, that provides long term and community-based services to individuals and their families who have sustained some type of brain injury or stroke. We provide the following services: Clubhouse Day Program, Community Support Services for Veterans, Supported Employment, Family Support, and a Neuro-Fitness adaptive Gym that includes seated and advanced exercise groups and personal training. These services are unique in that we can provide long term support for younger adults with disabilities.
We serve adults between the ages of 18-70 throughout six different counties and the City of Chicago. This program is a critical next step in the recovery process. Many of our clients begin services with us even prior to discharge at their rehabilitation day programs or outpatient services. Clients begin in the Clubhouse Day Program which provides real life opportunities to work side by side with the staff to run the nonprofit. This provides work practice and the re-building of life skills in the different Work Units. Our Culinary Unit prepares lunch daily and learns how to grocery shop and our Business Unit aids in computer training, communication skills, writing stories and office work. Our Community Integration outings allow clients to volunteer and engage in recreational activities.
For those clients that are interested in employment, we provide eight-week courses in Work Readiness and Return to Work. We assist clients with job placement, accommodations, analysis of benefits and work directly with the employer for a successful experience.
For veterans, we offer our Community Support Services program that provides in home and community-based services in the areas of recreation, volunteer service, building social networks and household engagement.
Our KNZ Neuro-Fitness Program provides an adaptive gym experience that assists clients in continuing their recovery in the area of endurance, strength, balance and coordination. We provide in person and virtual seated and advanced exercise classes as well as personal training.
Synapse House relies on the support of our community to provide these services. Volunteers are needed to serve on committees, work directly with our clients and serve on the Board of Directors. To make a donation or to see our Wish list, please go to www.synapsehouse.org for more information.
If you know someone in need of our services, please do not hesitate to have them contact us to set up a tour.
"I love Synapse house and its purpose because, it feels like home away from home. Synapse House is full of survivors with similar obstacles that I face daily. When I enter the Clubhouse, I feel a sense of comradery, like I fit in, and people can identify with my unique situation, injuries, and struggles. At Synapse House, we are all on the same team, with similar goals and similar obstacles."
- Tony S, Air Force Veteran, Purple Heart recipient
| 
