January

2010

Happy New Year 2010!

We hope 2010 brings you

T R Wire

joy, happiness, and new

recreation and leisure
pursuits.

Therapeutic Recreation’s Wire

http://tr.charmeck.org
 TR Programming:

Youth Programs (ages 6—12)

◊ Bumper Bowlers, Page 8
◊ Pre-K Play Days, Page 8
◊ SEALS —Afterschool program, Page 7
◊ Schools Out Club for Youth, Page 8

Teen Programs (ages 13—21)

◊ Fuel for Life, Page 4
Table of Contents

◊ Teen Club, Page 4

◊ School Day Out ~ Teens, Page 4

Young Adult (ages 18—35)

◊ Fuel for Life, Page 4
◊ Y-Lites, Page 5
◊ Young Adult Day Program, Page 5
◊ Star Bowlers, Page 6

Adult (ages 35 and up)

◊ Friends N Fun, Page 3
◊ Howie’s Café, Page 7
◊ Star Bowlers, Page 6
◊ TRACES, Page 6
◊ VIP Travel Club, Page 3

The next TR Dance and Supper Club will be February 12, 2010,
 Friends N Fun—Adult Social Club
for adults, ages 36-55 with disabilities
Experience a day of awareness and enjoyment as we visit the sites and sounds
in and around Charlotte.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Date: January 16 (Saturday) - Games, games, and more games!
Time: 12:30 PM—4:00 PM
Fee: S15.00 per date
Contact: Vernice Gallon, vernice.gallon@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Karen Noel, karen.noel@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Registration deadline: January 11
Clubs

VIP Travel Club

for adults and seniors, ages 35 and up with a visual impairment
Enjoy a social day with friends, while building independence in the
community. Learn about historical, educational, and recreational attractions
in the Charlotte area—please bring money for dinner.
Location: Pick-up/Drop-off locations:
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Rd.
Metrolina Association for the Blind (MAB), 704 Louise Ave.
Date: January 20 (Wednesday) - Hendrick Motorsports Museum
Time: Pick-up: MDRC at 9:00 AM, MAB at 9:30 AM
Drop-off: MAB at 3:30 PM, MDRC at 4:00 PM
Fee: $15.00
Contact: Karen Howard, karen.howard@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Registration deadline: three business days before each program date
 Fuel for Life
for young men ages 16 and older with disabilities
Come hang out with the guys, fuel your body with a good dinner, and
fuel your life with good conversation. Fuel for Life provides the
opportunity for young men to talk about and gain support for issues
they’re facing in their lives. Each month we will host guest speakers and
discuss different topics such as employment and job skills, relationships,
life goals and values, and other topics that are important to you.
Location: Donato’s/Bojangle’s Cafeteria, 6555 Morrison Boulevard
Dates: January 11 (Monday)
Time: 6:00 PM—7:30 PM
Fee: $10.00 per meeting (does not include dinner)
Contact: Angela Conti, angela.conti@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Teen Programs

Teen Club
for teens ages 13—21 with disabilities
Join the club! Spend your Saturdays with friends enjoying a variety of
leisure activities.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Date: January 16 (Saturday) - Queen’s Men’s Basketball
Time: 6:00 PM—9:30 PM
Fee: $15.00 (does not include dinner or snacks)
Contact: Margot Howell, margot.howell@mecklenburgcountync.gov

School Day Out ~ TEENS

for teens ages 13—21 with disabilities
Come spend your holidays with us this school year! You will create
some amazing crafts and gifts for your family and friends! Please bring a
sack lunch each day. Snacks will be provided.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Date: January 18 (Monday) - MLK Jr. Day
January 25 (Monday)- Winter Please
Time: 8:30 AM—4:30 PM
Fee: $35.00 per date
Contact: Karen Noel, karen.noel@mecklenburgcountync.gov
 Y-Lites
for young adults, ages 18 -35 with disabilities
If you enjoy having fun and socializing with your friends, this is the
group for you. We will participate in leisure activities while socializing
with your friends. We will also learn some valuable life skills.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Date: January 15 (Friday) - New Year’s Mixer
Time: 6:30 PM—9:00 PM
Date: January 23 (Saturday) - Zuma Fun Center
Young Adult Programs

Time: 12:30—3:30 PM
Fee: $15.00 per person (bring money for snacks or lunch/dinner)
Contact: Peggy Walker, peggy.walker@mecklenburgcountync.gov

Young Adult Day Program

for young adults, ages 18—35, with disabilities
WELCOME Young Adults who have a disability and want to enrich their
lives through personal growth, service learning and community
involvement. This program will enhance and support daily skill
Development in interpersonal relationships, etiquette, personal safety
and appropriate social/personal boundaries.
Location: Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 800 E. MLK, Jr. Blvd.
Date: January 12—28 (Tuesday and Thursday)
Time: 1:00 PM—5:00 PM
Fee: $15.00 per date or $30.00 weekly
Contact: Peggy Walker, peggy.walker@mecklenburgcountync.gov
 STAR Bowlers
for adults, ages 18 and older with disabilities
If you want to develop a new hobby or participate in an old favorite, then
join our bowling program. Have a great time bowling with old friends, while
making new friends! The fee includes: two games and bowling shoes.
Location: George Pappas’ Park Lanes, 1700 Montford Drive
Dates: January 5, 12, 19, 26 (Tuesdays)
Time: 10:30 AM—12:30 PM
Fee: $8.00 per date
Contact: Vernice Gallon, vernice.gallon@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Pre-registration Required

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Community Enrichment Services (TRACES)

– a day program for adults and seniors with disabilities
Adult Programs

Activities offered through the TRACES program address a variety of leisure

and life skill goals, including but not limited to: improvement of physical
well-being; enhancement of gross- and fine-motor skills; improvement of
social skills; development of creativity and leisure interests; increased
awareness of the community and the environment; and increased confidence
and self-esteem.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Dates: January 11—March 12, 2010 (M, W, Th, F)
Times: Cooking: 10:00—Noon (Mondays)
Gardening: 10:00—Noon (Wed. OR Friday)
Creative Arts: 12:30—1:30 (Monday and Wednesday)
Dance & Fitness: 1:30—2:30 (Monday and Wednesday)
Music: 12:30—1:30 (Tuesday and Thursday)
Leisure Sports & Games: 1:30—2:30 (Tuesday and Thursday)
Fee: $90.00 for 9-week session of each class
Contact: Karen Howard, karen.howard@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Margot Howell, margot.howell@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Registration deadline: January 6
After School

SEALS (Social Empowerment and Life Skills)

for children ages 6-12 with visual impairments

SEALS is an after school program for elementary aged children, offered

in partnership with the North Carolina Parents of Blind Children.
Participants spend their afternoons having fun while gaining valuable
social, recreation, & life skills, becoming more independent, and making
friends!
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays during the CMS school year
Time: 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Fee: $10 per week (pre-registration is required)
Contact: Angela Conti, angela.conti@mecklenburgcountync.gov

Howie’s Cafe
for adults and seniors, ages 18 and up with disabilities
Cooking

Taking Kitchen Magic a step further… Participants will improve basic

cooking skills, with an emphasis on attractive food presentation and
restaurant-style table serving. Additional skills taught will include kitchen
safety and hygiene; making healthy food choices; and proper food
handling and storage practices. Fees for this 5-week class include all
materials and food supplies.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Rd.
Date: January 16—February 13 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00 AM—1:00 PM
Fee: $75.00 per person
Contact: Karen Howard, karen.howard@mecklenburgcountync.gov
 School’s Out Club for Youth
for kids ages 6—12 with disabilities
During these holiday and seasonally themed days, children will play
games, make crafts, learn about special topics, and possibly take a field
trip! All of these activities are used to promote peer interaction and
appropriate social skills, physical activity, and independence.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Rd.
Date: January 18 (Monday)- MLK Jr. Day
January 25 (Monday) - Winter Frolic
Time: 8:30 AM—4:30 PM
Fee: $35.00
Contact: Angela Conti, angela.conti@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Jana McMullen, jana.mcmullen@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Youth Programs

Bumper Bowlers
for children ages 3—12 with disabilities
Come to George Pappas Park Lanes for a fun time learning how to bowl,
or improving your bowling skills. Kids will love learning a new sport and
playing with friends, and parents are welcome to stay and watch their
children’s skills. The program fee includes two (2) games of bowling, shoe
rental, and a party at the end of the program.
Location: George Pappas Park Lanes, 1700 Montford Drive
Date: January 16—February 20 (Saturdays)
Time: 10:00 AM—12:00 PM
Fee: $45.00
Contact: Angela Conti, angela.conti@mecklenburgcountync.gov

Pre-K Play Days

for kids ages 2—6 with disabilities
Pre-K Play Days is an energizing play opportunity with activities centered
around a child-friendly theme and we’ll spend time singing, moving,
playing games, making art, cooking, and more. This program will
encourage preschool aged children to have fun with their friends and
develop both play and recreation skills.
Location: 521 Recreation Center, 11404 Ardrey Kell Road
Date: January 9—30 (Saturdays) - Frosty Play Days
Time: 2:00 PM—3:00 PM
Fee: $25.00
Contact: Angela Conti, angela.conti@mecklenburgcountync.gov
 Therapeutic Recreation Section Staff 
  
Karla Gray    Karla.Gray@mecklenburgcountync.gov    704.432.4322 
  
Kerri Good    Kerri.Good@mecklenburgcountync.gov    704.432.4323 
  
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists 
 
Angela Conti    Angela.Conti@mecklenburgcountync.gov    704.432.4329 
  
Vernice Gallon  Vernice.Gallon@mecklenburgcountync.gov  704.432.4327 
  
Karen Howard  Karen.Howard@mecklenburgcountync.gov  704.432.4325 
  
Margot Howell  Margot.Howell@mecklenburgcountync.gov  704.432.4328 
  
Jana McMullen  Jana.McMullen@mecklenburgcountync.gov  704.432.4330 
   
Karen Noel    Karen. Noel@mecklenburgcountync.gov    704.432.4326 
  
Peggy Walker   Peggy.Walker@mecklenburgcountync.gov   704.432.4331 

Park and Recreation Department Mission Statement:

To enrich the lives of our citizens through the stewardship of the
County’s natural resources and the efficient and responsive provision
of quality leisure opportunities, experiences, and partnerships.
Therapeutic Recreation Section Mission Statement:
To provide therapeutic recreation services for individuals who have disabilities
that focus on abilities, rather than disabilities and encourage people to attain
their highest level of independent leisure functioning by increasing leisure skills,
improving social and communication skills, increasing independent living skills
and increasing their awareness of and involvement in community recreational
activities; to advocate for and ensure inclusive opportunities in all program
services; to act as advocates for individuals with disabilities by promoting
accessibility at all Department parks, facilities, programs, special events and
classes.