Two local nonprofit organizations – Elder and Adult Day Services (EADS) and Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) – are collaborating to enhance the lives of frail seniors and people with disabilities.

FEAT, an organization whose mission is “to provide families with hope and guidance to help their children with autism reach their full potential” will be doing its Experience Learning Project (E.L.P.) with EADS staff and participants. Elder and Adult Day Services provides relief to caregivers by offering day health services focused on frail seniors and adults with developmental disabilities

The E.L.P. is designed for teenagers with high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome to improve their social problem solving and social thinking skills in the service learning context.

During the week of July 12-16, the E.L.P. members will be working on a community service project with EADS participants. The group will be making dog biscuits to donate to the Delta Society Pet Partners – a volunteer organization which brings pets (registered therapy animals) to visit the elderly, special needs children, and many other people around the Puget Sound area.

“Working with other grassroots nonprofits on innovative programs is a win-win situation”, says Cindy Sharek, Interim CEO at Elder and Adult Day Services. “The experience and sharing of information is invaluable.”