Chris Hardesty, senior vice president of nonprofit Life Designs, addressed the Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 14 to summarize the agency’s services and upcoming activities. Hardesty said Life Designs provides wellness coordination, employment services, residential and group-home supports and day services that help clients participate in community volunteer opportunities.

“We're looking to start a new program here in town where we're going to be picking up folks who are living in a nursing home and taking them out in the community,” Hardesty said, describing a service that had been curtailed during the COVID period.

Hardesty invited commissioners to a free countywide event for clients with developmental disabilities, including Special Olympics participants and an all-ability choir, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 at Carr’s Farm (Sofia Travis’ playground). Hao Shi Wang, a grant manager with Life Designs, joined Hardesty at the podium for the presentation.

Why it matters: Life Designs’ return of community outings for nursing-home residents would restore social contact for a population whose group activities were limited during the pandemic. The Sept. 18 event is intended to showcase local disability services and engage county residents and officials.

Hardesty closed by thanking commissioners for long-standing county support.