Our program celebrates individual growth and friendships.
How it works
Tavon Learning Center provides active learning programs that are focused in three areas – social development, independent living, and community connections. The programs are designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discover, learn, and apply skills in real-life settings.
We use our unique combination of outdoor gardens, community building, real-life practice, and peer coaching to help people acquire home and community skills for living better.
Peer Coaching
Community Building
Real-life Practice
Outdoor Gardens
Programming Areas
We use an experiential-based learning method in all of our programs. Research has shown that real-life practice of skills increases learning and enhances retention. It encourages individual growth, independence, and builds confidence in our members.
Our programs take place in a variety of environments including our Home Center, Life Lab, and destinations throughout the Community. And, our beautiful Outdoor Gardens which provides a connection with nature, wellness benefits, and a place to grow success.
Tavon Learning Center provides four programming areas: Daily Living, Functional Academics, Recreation, and Community Connection. They aim to empower our members in communicating their needs, helps them to grow social skills used to build friendships and make community connections, encourages personal wellness, and develops new abilities and interests in our members.
Daily Living: Home and Garden
Home programs empower members to develop independence and social well-being for living a balanced life. The learn-by-doing life skills include basic household management, eating right and food preparation, healthy social skills, and encourages good decision-making. Members also enjoy leisure activities, such as baking, and arts and crafts.
Garden programs provide members the opportunity to learn communication, pre-vocational, and creative thinking skills through hands-on activities and projects, such as horticulture, animal care, and botanical exploration walks. Our nature-rich campus – 6-acres of outdoor gardens and forested trails – allows members to connect with the restorative influence of the natural world to increase focus, boost creativity, and enhance self-esteem.
Functional Academics
Functional Academics programs teach independence and community-based skills – such as functional reading, writing, time management, pre-vocational skills, personal management, and community safety – in both classroom and real-life environments. These programs empower member’s independence, ability to access their communities, and help them to live fulfilled lives.
Recreation
Recreation programs excite and engage members in activities such as hiking, yoga, swimming, and dance. These programs help members understand the importance of being active, emotional well-being, and physical fitness. Raising awareness and learning basic well-ness principles place members on the right track to managing their health.
Community Connections
Through fun and lively Community Connection programs, members learn about their community, build friendships, and develop confidence in relating to and connecting with people. Members also participate in community service which creates a sense of compassion and contribution such as, volunteering at Hopelink and Swedish Medical Center.
Living Better!
Karley
Karley’s family and friends know her for her big smile and infectious laughter. But with a move to a new area, it wasn’t always the case. In spring 2017, Karley began attending Tavon. Tavon has supplied Karley with a place she can regularly interact with her peers and build long-lasting friendships. Now, Karley has a circle of friends and enjoys experiencing new locations and trying new things. Karley knows that she can do anything she sets her mind to because her friends will always be there for her. Karley’s big smile isn’t going anywhere.
Matt
Matt came to Tavon to learn independent living skills and make new friends. But Matt needed more than that – he needed real-life settings and lots of practice. Tavon provided Matt with opportunities to experience being flexible and adapting to the changes life can bring. He now has the tools he needs to be confident and comfortable in new situations and to embrace the unfamiliar. With the abilities he has grown at Tavon, he is now living in a supported living home model with a friend.
Austin
After leaving the public school Transition Program in 2009, Austin started searching for a community that supported his desire in furthering his personal growth. At Tavon, he learned that his progress and voice mattered, while also listening to and respecting others. These newly developed social skills enable him to make new connections quickly and even helped strengthen his current relationships. Now,Austin is a happy and empowered young adult. Today, he might just be the most joyful and fun-loving person you could ever meet. Austin is a true altruist and has found success as a part-time worker.
Miles
Miles was a young man who has struggled with exploring new things. In 2011, Tavon became a part of his life. The programs provided Miles the opportunity to get out into the community and make connections, and develop life skills through classes. He found peer coaching that supported him in being himself and growing his abilities. Not only has Miles gained the confidence to explore new things, he now has a life of his own.
Participants
Tavon Learning Center programs are designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 18 years and older.
Our programs are not suited for people who are a danger to themselves or others.
Communication with Carers
Families and caregivers receive a monthly Program Activity Calendar and a quarterly Program Newsletter.
Each day, our members bring a written note home describing the activities in which they participated.
To report an absence, please e-mail us at attendance@tavoncenter.org or call our main office phone at (425) 999-2269.
Hours
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday – Friday
We offer two, 4 hour sessions per day:
9 am – 1 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm
Members can attend as little as 4 hours, once a week to 8 hours, 5 days a week space permitting.
Contact Us
Main Office: (425) 999-2269
Executive Director
Therese Vafaeezadeh
(425) 466-8022
therese@tavoncenter.org
Address:
24017 S.E. Black Nugget Road
Issaquah, WA 98029
Mailing:
P.O. Box 1243
Issaquah, WA 98027
“The staff at Tavon have helped to make this next step of independent living possible for our son and we are thankful!”
– Sara Wilson, Mother of Matt, Tavon Member
“Tavon Center is an integral part of Austin's adult life!”
- Natalie Brodeur, Mother of Austin, Tavon Member
“The staff are all fun, young adults with a zest for life and the peers they support.”
– Natalie Brodeur, Mother of Austin, Tavon Member
Our Program Partners
