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Open Doors participant William Hudome and his twin Amanda.
Open Doors: A Place for All
Abilities
Berwyn, PA — When 16-year old Amanda Hudome’s twin
brother William invited her on a golf outing four years ago,
she had no idea how it would change her life. The golf outing
was offered through Open Doors, a unique program that provides
social programs for young adults with mild mental impairments.
Amanda’s
twin has Downs Syndrome and had recently joined Open Doors,
offered through the YMCA of the Upper Main Line.
Amanda enjoyed the golf outing so much that she began volunteering
for Open Doors and has continued ever since. Since starting college
last fall, she volunteers in the summer by accompanying the participants
on social outings and helping with the weekly golf outing. “It’s
such fun being with the group,” she says.” I like
being with people of different ages and abilities; it makes for
some interesting times. It’s hard to describe how special
Open Doors is; you really have to experience it for yourself.”
Amanda is entering her junior year at Boston College where she
continues to have a heart for the mentally challenged. She has
been very involved in Boston College’s Special Olympics
Club and will be co-president when she returns in the fall. Through
the club, she coaches and helps raise funds for the Special Olympics
soccer and volleyball teams. She also volunteers at the Campus
School, a school for students with multiple disabilities and
complex medical needs.
“Working with Special Olympic athletes is fun, but it
is also rewarding. We’re giving these individuals an opportunity
to compete and do things they would not otherwise be able to
do,” she says.
Open Doors is a unique program at the heart of the YMCA mission.
Last year, over 200 individuals from the community took advantage
of Open Doors program by participating in fun weekly activities
including golf outings, bowling, trips, dances, concert, time
at the Y and more.
“The great thing about Open Doors is that it gets the
participants involved in something other than work and home,” says
Kathleen Wagner, Open Doors Director. “We give the members
a sense of belonging and a place for friendship and community.”
The most popular Open Doors activity is the weekly Friday Night
Out, when young adult participants meet at the Y then head off
for a fun activity ranging from roller-skating to seeing the
latest movie. Typically 40 young adults attend the fun-filled
evening. “One of our goals is to help Open Doors participants
become more independent,” explains Wagner. “We help
build their confidence with group experiences that they can than
do on their own.”
In addition to Friday Night Outs, Open Doors offers a full gamut
of programs including weekly bowling leagues, special workshops
and overnight trips. Through Open Doors the Y provides training
for Special Olympics and sponsors athletes at the local, state
and international level in 12 different sports.
For more information on Open Doors, please call Kathleen
Wagnerat 610-854-1625.
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