Rogers is being honored for our meaningful work with Journey 21, an Oconomowoc organization dedicated to providing living and learning options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
At its annual gala October 2, Journey 21 recognized Rogers with the Partnership of the Year Award, highlighting the strong collaborative relationship between both nonprofits, as well as the promotion of overall health and wellbeing in the community at large.
Rogers was one of the first organizations to work with Journey 21, developing a weekly, impactful experience for visiting students from Journey 21’s Life Academy. Throughout activities such as goal setting, emotional expression, and team building on the ropes course, students engage in fun yet challenging activities that intentionally foster personal growth and development.
“It has been incredible to see how the partnership between Journey 21 and Rogers Behavioral Health is already making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of those we serve in our community,” says Heather Parker, manager of Community Partnerships. “We are deeply honored and grateful that Journey 21 has recognized us as Partnership of the Year, affirming our shared commitment to supporting these wonderful adults and this community.”
In February, an Insight story featured Rogers’ collaboration with Journey 21. At that time, therapists Tara McDonough and Katie Lindermann described their passion for their work leading students through recreational therapy and art therapy, in opportunities on the ropes course and in the water.
“During the semester, Katie and I would piggyback off of each other,” Tara said. “While Katie focused a lot on talking about the emotional side of things, when they got to me for the recreational side, I could say, ‘You guys have been talking about emotions. Now we’re going to feel them.”
“The students saw that they’re capable of hard things, too,” Katie said. “They were so excited and appreciative. Not only did we see growth in them, but they noticed it in themselves, too.”
