From the outdoors to the arts, caring community creates experiences for all

This paid piece is sponsored by LifeScape.

For Dalton, an adult supported by LifeScape, the outdoors are everything.

So he looks forward to trips to Trent River Farm, just north of Sioux Falls, where both adults supported by LifeScape and children go to the farm and make lasting memories.

“We get to ride out to the cows to feed them. I really like my summers there,” Dalton said.

Every day at LifeScape brings powerful moments like those as people with developmental disabilities participate in activities throughout the Sioux Falls area.

“It’s such an amazing job to be able to hang out with people we support every day,” said Jeremy Schaefer, who has been at LifeScape for 15 years and spent more than half that time as the activities associate for the Adult Day Services program.

In this role, he helps adults supported by LifeScape live their best life through active engagement in the community by fostering new relationships.

“Community involvement is for everyone, whether you have a disability or not,” Schaefer said.

This month is a time to shine an extra light on those served by LifeScape, with National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“We have built some great community partnerships,”Schaefer said.

He regularly takes the adults he supports to the Downtown Library, Washington Pavilion and the Museum of Visual Materials, just to name a few.

At the Museum of Visual Materials, education director Anna Hudelson gets to spend time with the people LifeScape supports the first Tuesday of every month.

“I love sharing my passion for creating art with people of all ages and abilities. I find so much joy in seeing their excitement, creativity and pride with each student and their art,” she said.

“I love going there,” added Tammy, an adult supported by LifeScape. “I enjoy all the art I get to create.”

Like anyone, those with developmental disabilities experience unique interests and passions — and LifeScape is able to support them, from the outdoors to the arts, because of a community that cares.

“Thank you to everyone in the Sioux Falls community who contributes their kindness, allowing the people we support to live their best life,” Schaefer said.

To learn more about LifeScape’s Adult Day Services, click here.