Charleston Transitional Facility (CTF)

Located on 1821 12th Street is a Cila (group home) that is apart of a company (Charleston Transitional Facility) that branches off different companies that fund daily programs and living situations for individuals with mental disabilities. The Cila is there to support individuals with developmental disabilities by providing training an treatment in the areas of self-care, communication, self-direction, independent living, mobility, and learning as directed by individual service plans and federal regulations. The reasoning behind such an organization is to provide the highest quality of service in order to enhance each individual's skill development, health, freedom, and personal dignity. 

         After volunteering here the ways that it relate to this current class of FCS is that I was able to see the life that many live who have disabilities. This Cila I was able to see that help individuals was able to get just because of the company CTF. After learning in class how hard it is living in poverty and the things that many others may attend to go through I have seen and was able to help some that were going through it. This is something that many did not have a choice of living.

            When participating in this volunteer work the network between the “professionals” wasn’t as complicated as I thought. A lot of the “professional” or workers there were people I seem to associate myself with on the daily basis. It just seemed to surprise me the tone that was set the moment you walk in the door. At any second the tone can change from loud and busy to smooth and quiet. What I was able to really get from the workers or DSPs (direct service personnel) were how attached and connected they were to each individual. The way the DSP networked and communicated with each individual was on a level that couldn’t be described in words. The experience itself humbled me as a person being that I know a lot of people are not fully educated on the things that these individuals face and how most times the individuals may only have one small thing that can hinder them from being accepted in the real world. I gained not only knowledge but I gained friendship with the DSPs and individual because once I got out of my comfort zone I began to look at everyone as what they are, a person. Things got easier and my mind opened itself to the new world I was introduced to.

         The potential that the company CTF have on the community is that they are willing to help individuals and their families who are in need of help. This company takes the time out to hire many students and others who are in need of a workplace and train them to the best of their abilities, to work with individuals with a disability. Another affect that this company has on the community is they have different Cilas located in the town of Charleston. This give many people opportunities to chose a place where they may want an individual to go. Having this company empowers the community to help one another and to gain more knowledge, and care for others who families re not able to either afford or have the time to do so.

         To conclude my volunteer summary up, I have learned that this company is great and should be located in all cities or towns. I have gained more than knowledge from doing this experience. After helping and watching the professional give the individuals treatments, cook for them and just do daily care I gained respect for the individuals that are suffering from the disability and for the professionals that are currently working at the different Cilas. Doing this volunteer work had me having thoughts of wanting to apply for a position of the company, for the fact I think I would be able to get closer to the individuals and learn more about them, and by my major being FCS I would be able to apply some of the information that I have been learning in my classes to the company. I have been able to see and learn that many people do not want to live the life that they want and that living with a disability is hard some want to live back to regular life they once had. I really did enjoy volunteering here and I would love to do it again. 

By: Jasmine Miles