Social/
Recreational
Our location in the vibrant cosmopolitan city of New Haven has led to a wonderful opportunity for Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Inc. to create opportunities for clients to participate in a wide variety of recreation opportunities, both locally and throughout New England. We frequently offer trips to sporting events, museums, amusement parks, and cultural events in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Due to the fact that Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Inc. focuses on encouraging our clients to be as independent as possible, they are able to choose their level of involvement with the Recreation Program. As many clients juggle working, volunteering, family life, and more, they may opt to participate in a couple trips every month. Other clients choose to be completely involved with trips, Special Olympics, weekly recreation clubs, and Best Buddies. In addition, we are proud to offer more than 40 virtual activities a month!
You can check out our calendar on Rec Desk
Our structured recreation program occurs on weeknight evenings and weekends and is chaperoned by our energetic and compassionate recreation staff. There is an average of 25 weekend trips to choose from each month, along with more than 40 virtual activities. Popular activities include, but are not limited to:
Meet Our Director of Recreation
Alyssa Parete
Alyssa began her career with CHSC working in the Recreation Department before transitioning to the Community Life Day Program (CLP) where she worked for more than two years as the program’s manager. In August, 2023, Chapel Haven proudly announced her promotion as the new Director of Recreation … Read more
Our location in the vibrant cosmopolitan city of New Haven has led to a wonderful opportunity for Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Inc. to create opportunities for clients to participate in a wide variety of recreation opportunities, both locally and throughout New England. We frequently offer trips to sporting events, museums, amusement parks, and cultural events in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Due to the fact that Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Inc. focuses on encouraging our clients to be as independent as possible, they are able to choose their level of involvement with the Recreation Program. As many clients juggle working, volunteering, family life, and more, they may opt to participate in a couple trips every month. Other clients choose to be completely involved with trips, Special Olympics, weekly recreation clubs, and Best Buddies.
Our structured recreation program occurs on weeknight evenings and weekends and is chaperoned by our energetic and compassionate recreation staff. There is an average of 25 weekend trips to choose from each month. Popular activities include, but are not limited to:
The Basketball Hall of Fame- Bowling
- Dave & Buster’s
- Lunch or dinner at a wide variety of restaurants
- Medieval Times in New Jersey
- Performances (Goodspeed Opera House
shows, Disney on Ice, The Lion King)
- Six Flags and Lake Compounce
- Shopping
- Trips to the local movie theaters
- Yale sporting events (hockey, football, basketball)
- Zoos (Bronx, Central Park, and Beardsley)
- The Basketball Hall of Fame
- Bowling
- Dave & Buster’s
- Lunch or dinner at a wide variety of restaurants
- Medieval Times in New Jersey
- Performances (Goodspeed Opera House
shows, Disney on Ice, The Lion King)
- Six Flags and Lake Compounce
- Shopping
- Trips to the local movie theaters
- Yale sporting events (hockey, football, basketball)
- Zoos (Bronx, Central Park, and Beardsley)
Meet Our Director of Recreation
Alyssa Parete
Alyssa began her career with CHSC working in the Recreation Department before transitioning to the … Read more
Additionally, the Recreation Program includes Special Olympics with multiple 10-week seasons throughout the year, week-long vacations to Colorado and Disney World, Best Buddies, weekly clubs, access to a fitness room and adaptive sports classes. Furthermore, the recreation program is a key part of Chapel Haven Schleifer Center’s curriculum. Overall, our goal areas for the clients include:
Communication, listening and interpersonal skills- Decision-making and problem-solving
- The importance of healthy food and exercise
- Money-management
- Motor skills
- Stress-management and relaxation techniques
- Patience and kindness
- Self-advocacy
- Self-awareness
- Teamwork
Additionally, the Recreation Program includes Special Olympics with multiple 10-week seasons throughout the year, week-long vacations to Colorado and Disney World, Best Buddies, weekly clubs, access to a fitness room and adaptive sports classes. Furthermore, the recreation program is a key part of Chapel Haven Schleifer Center’s curriculum. Overall, our goal areas for the clients include:
- Communication, listening and interpersonal skills
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- The importance of healthy food and exercise
- Money-management
- Motor skills
- Stress-management and relaxation techniques
- Patience and kindness
- Self-advocacy
- Self-awareness
- Teamwork
Chapel Haven Schleifer Center’s most frequently used on-campus location is called the Outreach Center. It is located on the second floor of the Bershaw Boswell Center. Best Buddies and the Outreach Club are all held weekly in this location. We partner with Southern CT State University for Best Buddies, where the college students participate in fun activities with our clients a couple times per month to build friendships. Topics of the Outreach Club rotate between mindfulness, health and wellness, creative expressions, and book club. We are also proud to say that our campus-based activities are often just as popular as our “away” trips and include:
- Arts & crafts
- Bingo & board games
- Dinner & a movie
- DJ dances
- Football game viewing parties
- Karaoke Night
Chapel Haven Schleifer Center’s most frequently used on-campus location is called the Outreach Center. It is located on the second floor of the Bershaw Boswell Center. Best Buddies and the Outreach Club are all held weekly in this location. We partner with Southern CT State University for Best Buddies, where the college students participate in fun activities with our clients a couple times per month to build friendships. Topics of the Outreach Club rotate between mindfulness, health and wellness, creative expressions, and book club. We are also proud to say that our campus-based activities are often just as popular as our “away” trips and include:
- Arts & crafts
- Bingo & board games
- Dinner & a movie
- DJ dances
- Football game viewing parties
- Karaoke Night
Another great resource utilized by Chapel Haven Schleifer Center is the JCC of Greater New Haven. Members of the recreation program can participate in recreation classes at this location. Additionally, every client who is part of the residential REACH program receives a membership at the JCC which can be used at any time. Opportunities available through the JCC include access to the:
- Basketball facility
- Climbing wall
- Gym and fitness classes
- Heated indoor pool
- Social activities
Another great resource utilized by Chapel Haven Schleifer Center is the JCC of Greater New Haven. Members of the recreation program can participate in recreation classes at this location. Additionally, every client who is part of the residential REACH program receives a membership at the JCC which can be used at any time. Opportunities available through the JCC include access to the:
- Basketball facility
- Climbing wall
- Gym and fitness classes
- Heated indoor pool
- Social activities
The Recreation Program is included in Chapel Haven’s REACH Program fees. All are welcome to join the recreation program. Monthly membership fees and additional fees apply.
In conclusion, staples on the calendar throughout the year include:
- Special Olympics: track and field, swimming bowling, basketball, soccer, tennis, softball
- Outreach Club with rotating topics between book club, mindfulness, health and wellness, hobbies, and creative expression
- The largest Best Buddies chapter in CT, where college volunteers from Southern CT State University serve as mentors to each student, year round
- JCC of Greater New Haven activities
- A yearly trip to Crested Butte, Colorado for adaptive skiing
- A yearly trip to Disney World in Orlando
- A range of extracurricular opportunities
The Recreation Program is included in Chapel Haven’s REACH Program fees. All are welcome to join the recreation program. Monthly membership fees and additional fees apply.
In conclusion, staples on the calendar throughout the year include:
- Special Olympics: track and field, swimming, bowling, basketball, soccer, tennis, softball
- Outreach Club with rotating topics between book club, mindfulness, health and wellness, hobbies, and creative expression
- Book Buddies: Students from nearby Hopkins School participate with us
- The largest Best Buddies chapter in CT, where college volunteers from
- Southern CT State University serve as mentors to each student, year round
- JCC of Greater New Haven activities
- A yearly trip to Crested Butte, Colorado for adaptive skiing
- A yearly trip to Disney World in Orlando
- Private art and music lessons on Audubon Street
- A range of extracurricular opportunities