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    Exceptional Teens and Adults is one of the few facilities in Louisville that was developed to meet the needs of children and adults who are developmentally and intellectually disabled. Owner Rose Walden started her business in 1999 as a response to the lack of facilities in the area with the that were caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rose’s son, who at the time was a child, had nowhere to go while she worked. Frustrated, Ms. Walden felt that something needed to change. She invested her time and money into creating her own business.  Her goal is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with efficient and productive programs lead by warm-hearted workers and volunteers. More than ten years later, Rose continues to follow her mission "to provide opportunities for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live independent and extraordinary lives.”

    Exceptional Teens and Adults (ETA) is located downtown within 5 miles of the library and the waterfront park. Not only is the location convenient; but ETA is a great place for the participants to interact with the community. One of the programs that ETA offers is community living support or CLS. CLS operates to promote independence by helping individuals integrate into the community by actively going out and performing activities that help the person accomplish their individual goals. Other programs include Homemaker services, personal care services, and respite; a short-term service used when the family is in need of relief. Services are provided at home or in the community.

    Other activities that participants take part in include leisure activities such as; golfing, Brightside, picnics, music therapy, massage therapy, arts and craft, bowling and much more. One thing that Rose says makes her facility stand out from the rest is her allowing the enrollment of teenagers. ETA accepts preteens as young as 12 years old. The teen program includes after-school, Christmas break, spring break, summer break and fall programs as well, for parents who need assistance in caring for their preteen or teen while school is out. 

    Rose’s main goal is to eventually build a facility that can help all teenagers in the community. She hopes to renovate the building next to ETA and make it into a facility that can be used by teenagers. It will include programs for teens struggling with homework, teens that are trying to find jobs, or for teens that simply need a place to hang out and interact with other. Rose says that she doesn’t want it to be like any regular community center. Her center will prepare teens for the future as well as give them experience working with the disabled community. It will be the Exceptional Teens and Adults Teen Center.“I want to be able to give parents a break while allowing them to feel that their loved one is in good hands,” said Rose about ETA.

    Rose hopes to increase her enrollment as well as expand her facility. If interested in enrolling a loved one visit their website, one can also donate to the non-profit organization.  If you have a loved one who needs good care and a place to make new friends Exceptional Teens and Adults is the place to go!

    Photo Credentials: Exceptional Teens and Adults

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    About NaKayla Little

    I am a 20 year old college student at the University of Louisville studying Communications and Spanish. I am also a master cosmetologist and step dance coach. I enjoy being around people and having fun.

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