Christmas at the Capitol
It was a magical Christmas night at the Tennessee state capitol. The Friends were invited to be guests of honor for the Governor and First Lady’s Christmas tree lighting celebration. As soon as we pulled up, snow flakes began to fall from sky. We were greeted with the...
More Than a day program, it’s living life together.
FLC is More Than a day program, it’s friendships, peace of mind, life-long learning, and a community of support. More Than an art class, it’s finding your voice, telling your story, and connecting with others through a shared experience. More Than an ice cream...
An Experiment in Joy and Connection
When the Friends’ Treat Truck launched in 2021, we were in the throes of a global pandemic and learning to operate in different ways than we were accustomed to. Despite living through many unknowns, our mission of creating opportunities for adults with disabilities to...
Barrier-Free Leadership Using Improv
Barrier-free leadership aims to remove obstacles and create an inclusive environment where all individuals can fully participate, contribute, and thrive. It promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by recognizing and addressing systemic barriers that prevent certain...
What We Give Up By “Fitting In”
“Fitting in is becoming who you think you need to be in order to be accepted. Belonging is being your authentic self and knowing that no matter what happens, you belong to you.” - Brene BrownOur tagline at Friends Life Community (FLC) is “Everyone deserves to belong.”...
Books and Belonging: What We’re Reading
It's February, and the Friends are focusing on heart health. Maintaining a healthy heart means taking care of ourselves through exercise and eating well, so that our hearts stay physically strong. It also means tending to our closest relationships to cultivate a sense...
Weaving Connection: Tension and Unity at Friends Life Community
We kick off the work week every Monday morning with a standing team meeting. It’s a beautiful circle of individuals. Everyone brings professional expertise, unique skill sets, and different perspectives, yet mutual values and a joint mission connect us. Even in the best of teams, working with people is complex and can create tension among members. Luckily, I believe that strong teams and healthy communities require tension.
The Secret to Spreading Joy and the Science Behind It
The smile on Katie’s face when she handed the staff at Friends Life Community a colorful mystery box, was infectious. The box was wrapped in copy paper, decorated with various illustrations of the sun, flowers, rainbows, butterflies, and bright green grass. We...
Five Essential Steps for Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace
In today's workforce, creating an inclusive workplace is not just a nice idea but is also a competitive advantage. Inclusivity means ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels valued and appreciated and can contribute to the organization's success. ...
Why National Disability Employment Awareness Month Matters
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month dedicated to recognizing the contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce. It is imperative to distinguish the difference between celebrating an ideal and recognizing a...
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