Possibility Place is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Classes such as Life Skills, Vocation Skills, Social Skills, Health and Exercise, Life Enrichments, Current Events, Creative Arts, and Bible Study are offered as well as volunteer opportunities to help integrate them into the community. Sonya Craig is the Founding Executive Director and has found that the adults they assist have established friendships and genuine relationships that encourage them and provide them with community and a sense of belonging.
Craig saw a need for a place that could help her son and his friends continue to improve their life skills and to have a social outlet to keep them connected to their community. She says that statistically, “80-85% of these adults are not employed. Most of them go home and regress in their skills and often become isolated and lonely. It’s heartbreaking because these adults have so much to give, so much to offer to our community.” In August of 2017, Possibility Place opened their doors with seven adults and now they have 38 adults with a waiting list.
Her parental perspective is what makes her so unique to this nonprofit as it’s not just a job for her. “This is my life. I will do whatever it takes to see these adults succeed, thrive, and grow. They are amazing and they deserve every opportunity that can be offered to them.”
Possibility Place also does not receive any state or federal funds. As a private pay organization, help from the community is vital to keeping tuition low and to be able to give scholarships to families in need. The organization is currently looking for potential partners in order to gain funding to have their own building, be able to get as many adults off the waiting list as possible and offer more opportunities for them,” says Craig.
For the last five years, Craig has pushed through the lows and celebrated the highs, but seeing those she is helping accomplish and learn so much, and some even getting job offers gives her hope that they can continue to live fulfilling lives. They are changing the perceptions of what an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability can do.
Possibility Place has been meeting at The Experience Community Church for more than two years, but they have quickly outgrown the space. They hope to soon have a place of their own where they can expand the skills offered. Craig is making plans to have a job skills training center, a teaching kitchen, and life skills center. Her next goal is to establish community housing for the adults.
“You can ask any parent of a child with significant disabilities what their greatest fear is, and the vast majority will answer ‘who will take care of my child after I’m gone?’ We want to minister to these adults and put their family’s mind and heart at peace,” expressed Craig.
In the meantime, Craig is constantly looking for businesses that will consider hiring one of her adults in the program, because when given the opportunity to shine, they do. Craig feels they are the best employees.
They will be hosting their Night of Possibilities event on Friday, December 13th where the adults will be performing a Christmas program and will include a dessert and coffee bar, along with handmade Christmas gifts available for purchase. Tickets will be $25 and you can purchase them starting in October at their website https://www.possibilityplacetn.org.