About

The mission of DIGS, Inc. is to provide safe housing, work and leisure opportunities for adults with developmental challenges. DIGS was started by parents, family members, and special educators who were concerned about their children when they became adults. Of most concern was where they would live when something happened to their primary caregiver. After receiving 501C3 status in 2007, we began fundraising to build a community living residence where 4 men could live for as long as they were able, which was completed in 2014. We are currently on the verge of building a second home for women! Four leisure opportunities were began: 'Just As I Am' choir, 'Snap Happy' camera club, '1 Step @ A Time' dance club, 'Art Hearts' art club and later 'Skills For Life' social skills group for adults with autism was added. These activities provide opportunities to be with friends socially while being in our community and learning new skills. The area of work opportunities continues to be a difficult challenge for anyone working in the field of developmental disabilities. We currently use volunteers for most of activities and functions. Our 'adults' are encouraged to also volunteer their time. They are learning valuable pre-vocational skills while helping with creating garden art items, setting up and staffing our art/crafts booth at a variety of local venues. With the DIGS ''family'', parents and other family caregivers find practical and emotional support in the way of coping with the challenges of caring for and finding services for their 'adults'.