How it works
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
Our Daily Living program provides the fundamentals of living a balanced life. We practice, Communication and Social Skills, such as self-advocacy, social etiquette, and impulse control – Health and Wellness Independency, such as personal hygiene, food preparation, and personal safety – Household Management Skills, such as basic housekeeping, shopping, and laundry. This program also enables our members to develop interests and participate in Leisure Activities, such as art, gardening, cooking, and baking.
Functional Academics
Our Functional Academics program provides focused and detailed skill practice in Functional Independent Skills, such as reading and writing, time telling, and money handling – and Community-Based Skills, such as independency in the community and prevocational skills. This program helps our members to establish self-confidence, develop social skills used to make community connections, and to apply their problem-solving skills.
Recreation
Our Recreation program provides movement, fun, and a sense of accomplishment. We participate in Adaptive Sports and Health Awareness, such as biking with Outdoors for All, and swimming – and in Recreation, such as yoga, dance classes, and hiking. This program contributes to building awareness of health and facilitates the mental and physical well-being of our members.
Community Connections
Our Community Connection program provides opportunities for community building and engagement through Community Service, such as volunteering at Hopelink, YMCA, Swedish Medical Center – and Community Activities and Events, such as visiting zoos and aquariums, museums, farms, and attending local events. This program helps our members grow social skills used to make community connections, encourages engagement with the community, and increases the mental and physical well-being of our members.
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. This spring 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
9:00am – 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
Live Life To The Fullest
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"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."
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