Programs

Our Supported Living program provides 24-hour guidance to our students with developmental disabilities. For many of them, living alone is not an option. This means full support for them to live in a safe home where they build the skills they need for a more independent life. We help with basic and advanced tasks, such as

• Eating
• Bathing
• Taking medication
• Meal preparation
• Laundry
• Grocery shopping

One of the most important things this program gives our clients is a chance to live with their peers. Through communal living with two or three other clients with whom they often form great friendships, our Advocate Support students these clients get to learn together, experience life together, and share everyday activities. Enjoying residence in a spacious home in one of the friendly and safe residential neighborhoods in or around Roswell, they sleep, eat, and play together, supervised up to 24-hours a day by trained, direct-support staff.

Unfortunately, these opportunities to grow and become independent were not always available. Decades ago, individuals lived in institutions, and in some instances were confined to cells. By advocating for these individuals both locally and in our state capitol of Santa Fe, we changed how and where they live. Now, a safe and comfortable space to thrive is a reality.

Tobosa’s Family Living program develops skills for our clients working toward full independence, allowing them to settle into their lives, whether on their own or with their family.

[We could use some bullet points here on what are some of the ways this program supports besides just “prompts or redirection on chores and responsibilities.” requested from Tobosa 7/1]

Living on their own, making the majority of their decisions, these clients give us the pride of seeing them make it as far as they can go –  a great accomplishment!  When a student reaches this stage, we feel the success that drives our hard work as an organization.  More importantly, it highlights the client’s incredible progress in overcoming their disability to grow and develop fully.  Everyone’s work is paid off and our core mission is fulfilled.

We believe that most people strive to live independently, and encourage this aspiration for many of our clients. Although there are some who may never overcome severely challenging disabilities to reach this point, our determination to keep the opportunity open to anyone willing to work toward it has been rewarded time and again. When it comes to our clients, we entertain all possibilities.

In our mission to develop independent clients, we strongly focus on relationship building as a pillar of their growth. In support of that mission, we also encourage some clients to pursue romantic interests. Some of our clients have even found love, committing to one another and forming a family of their own through marriage. We provide the services and resources for individuals to fully participate in the lives of their spouse, partner, or children through this, supporting the entire family.

In the past, dating or marriage for individuals living with disabilities was completely prohibited. There were times when even family members, some of our clients’ biggest advocates, had a difficult time going through this process. Over time, and with Tobosa by their side, their notions and attitudes adapted.

Though there are laws in place to protect individuals from ability-based discrimination, we found there was a need for long-term advocacy to change hearts and minds. We were up against a barricade loop of failure to see any employment potential in people living with developmental disabilities and a lack of public outreach that kept them away from work or volunteer opportunities for many generations. We changed that. Our work showed how they can contribute to the community with the right opportunities. With persistence, we succeeded in lifting our community above the status quo, by enfolding its leaders in our circle of support with employment for our capable clients.

Our involvement with the Roswell community has helped us build important relationships with community leaders, stakeholders, and businesses. Throughout the years, these dedicated Roswell community members have opened their doors to us, offering our clients both employment and volunteer opportunities.

Tobosa is proud to see how far Roswell has come in integrating the differently-abled. It’s clear how much our clients benefit from serving and contributing in meaningful ways, but what some did not expect was how much we as a community are better for their inclusion.

One of the most essential services we provide to support the well-being of our families is to give primary caregivers a break, giving them time to exercise, spend time with friends, or get some sleep. Our respite program helps restore their energy, improve their patience, and prevents the social isolation that can otherwise be a challenge. We find that our clients very much look forward to the opportunity it provides for them to spend time with others.

The work that Tobosa does takes incredible commitment, shared by the administrators, staff, individuals, and the families and friends of those living with disabilities. Every component of our organization is a response to a great need in our community as well as a great success story to the countless individuals who are thriving in their own way and at their own pace.