By Annika Morschauser
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – Innovative Services, Inc. (ISI) recently received a $135,800 grant from Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services “to enhance the life enrichment program with activities in and around communities to help their clients re-engage in their communities following COVID.”
ISI began in 2004, providing their services that contribute to giving the best lives possible to people with developmental disabilities.
COVID-19 heavily impacted ISI as their clients became isolated and pulled away from their communities due to limited traveling and interactions with others.
The recent grant will be used to reintegrate their clients into their communities in both urban and rural areas.
“We think, most importantly, our clients are a gift to the world. They help people come to life and enjoy their lives, and we’re so excited to have them back in the community in a more meaningful way,” CEO Michael Schwartz stated.
Schwartz said the funding would be used in various ways.
“The majority of it [deciding how to use the grant funds] though was ‘how do we use these funds to get our Life Enrichment Specialist’ to help plan a lot of events and then to help pay for a lot of events where our clients are back into the community?” Schwartz said.
The main goal that ISI had in mind for what the grant would be used for was to hire a Life Enrichment Specialist.
The new position for the nonprofit was filled by Jesse Harris.
He works with clients during at-home visits providing activities along with planning outings statewide such as their recent 1,000-person trip to Packer’s Family Night.
“We are thrilled! I can’t tell you what a different Jesse has made in our organization… He is able to connect with clients that he sees weekly at some of our houses… They absolutely love him, and it’s been a big success…” Schwartz said.
Like many other nonprofits, ISI would love to expand their organization, but are only capable of doing so if they receive enough funding and resources.
“I would love to tell you that if we can get the funding right, we want to grow so we never have to say no to people in need but right now we can’t take on more things that cause debt,” he explained.
ISI is thankful for this grant as it gives them the funds they need to continue doing what they’re doing for now.
The grant will go towards funding three major programs that ISI provides.
ISI has two residential housing programs: Adult Family Homes (AFH) and Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRF).
ISI has an estimated 30 houses within the greater Fox Valley area, housing four residents per home in their AFH program, five to eight residents per home in their CBRF program as well as staff members that provide 24/7 care.
Types of care include medical needs, transportation, housekeeping, etc.
ISI provides care when called for residents who live independently outside of their residential homes which is called Community Supportive Living.
These clients are invited to outings and other activities even though they live independently outside of the CBRF and AFH programs.
They also provide mental health services through their wellness center to those who have referrals from the county and who want to begin their journey towards gaining social skills and integrating back into society for example.
ISI has mental health technicians who work with those individuals to reach their best lives.
ISI is one of the larger nonprofits that provide these types of services in the state.
“Our clients deserve it. They are some of the best people in the world. They deserve to have awesome lives. The community deserves to have them in their lives because they do bring people to life,” Schwartz said.
For more information, visit https://www.isiinc.org.