st.petersburg, florida – A program in St. Petersburg helps people with disabilities live more independent lives. Their initiative is life changing.
Students in St. Petersburg’s therapy-recreation program made Christmas a little more fun for some locals last year. They were giving out free holiday food baskets.
“We really wanted to teach participants how to give back,” said Alyssa Elsner, Supervisor of Therapy Recreation for the City of St. Pete Parks and Recreation Department. “So this is all the nights we give to teach them the act of charity and charitable giving.”
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Elsner said it’s part of the St. Pete Sampler Initiative, which consists of seven different excursions, activities, and safe and inclusive environments around the city. Field trips provide fun activities and independence for people of all ages with physical or mental disabilities.
“I want to teach them how to interact with like-minded and non-like-minded peers so that they can create communities of inclusion,” Elsner said.
The lessons they teach others are invaluable.
“If I have learned anything from these young people and adults, it is grace and love, and learning to truly love others.Sometimes we forget that. And I can say that we adults never think so.
For program details, visit www.stpeteparksrec.org/programs.
