THE ENRICHMENT CENTER
Our Design Concept
How is the Enrichment Center different than a Community Center?
The fabric of social health in our society has been fraying, in part because many people lack networks of personal and social support. Family members can be spread across the country, friends live across town, and neighbors don’t know one another. A listening ear or helping hand isn’t always available when it’s most needed.
The Enrichment Center can help mend a web of belonging, care and support. The planned activities, clubs, and outings encourage interaction among neurodiverse individuals, laying the ground work for caring life-long friendships. Once participant might have trouble doing art, but another loves helping individuals learn to make art. Once participant may be scared to climb the rock wall, but another is there to cheering them on to achieve the goal of getting to the top. These close social interactions aren’t usually a part of a typical community center that doesn’t take the needs of the neurodiverse community into consideration. All of these encounters strengthen webs of support and friendship, which are the basis for communities where individuals can thrive.
Community sounds good, but does it come at the expense of privacy?
While there are many examples and kinds of social neighborhoods, privacy is an essential ingredient that allows residents to have a positive experience of community. The Enrichment Center grounds will include many options for our community members to relax in their own way, from walking pathways through forested areas, large trees to read a book under, shaded areas to lounge, picknick, or play a solo card game. Other options include a large open grassy area to run through or to practice soccer, as well as a basketball court for shooting hoops. Although the Enrichment Center is designed to be a social gathering place for activities, the surrounding areas will allow for individuals to have peaceful privacy, if that’s what they want or need.