ENTRE

Expanding Networks through Recreation and Empowerment (ENTRE)

The Expanding Networks through Recreation and Empowerment (ENTRE) projectplans to improve existing networks of Montana Kiwanis Clubs, Kiwanis Aktion Clubs, and People First Chapters and build the capacity of these organizations to support adults with disabilities in community service activities. ENTRE is based on the premise that community services is recreation because it is a worthy use of leisure time and builds social networks, social skills, and vocational opportunities for people with disabilities.

The target population is adults with disabilities, primarily developmental disabilities. Over the three years of the project, at least 120 individuals with developmental disabilities will participate in integrated community service activities along side Montana Kiwanis members. Kiwanis is an international service organization with an 80-year history, 8,600 clubs, 300,000 business and professional members who annually invest 1.3 million volunteer hours in their communities. Kiwanis Aktion Clubs, part of Kiwanis’ family of organizations, are community service groups for adults with disabilities with the goals of developing members initiative and leadership skills and integrating them into society. People First is a self-advocacy organization for adults with disabilities; in Montana, Kiwanis has used People First Chapters as foundations for developing Aktion Clubs.

ENTRE is innovative because it builds on the existing network and missions of these three organizations. The project expands the capacity of these organizations to support people with disabilities in integrated volunteer activities by achieving its goals of breaking down barriers, demonstrating competencies, and facilitating natural supports. The project offers long-term sustainability because it works with viable organizations whose values and mission embrace the projects goals.

ENTRE’s objectives/activities/outcomes will include:

1. Train a minimum of ten Kiwanis clubs (300 members) on disability issues, etiquette, and accessibility. A People First member will co-present these trainings with the project director. This will break down barriers and establish the ground work for expanding the number of Montana Aktion Clubs.
2. Support Kiwanis to form at least three new Aktion Clubs to engage at least 60 new members, and developing natural supports to sustain the Clubs and mentor members.
3. Assist Kiwanis to coordinate 18 joint service projects over the grant period between Kiwanis Clubs and 120 members of People First Chapters or Aktion Clubs. Project resources will underwrite up to three service projects that will improve the accessibility of community recreation facilities, thereby demonstrating competencies.
4. Naturally support ten adults’ with disabilities participation at state-wide Kiwanis events.
5. Assist three adults with disabilities’ to present nationally about the ENTRE project (e.g., Self Advocates Becoming Empowered conference) and demonstrate competencies.
6. Disseminate information nationally to an audience of 5000 with articles written by at least 15 people with disabilities in the Rural Institute’s newsletter, a monongraph, and Kiwanis publications, thereby breaking down barriers and demonstrating competencies.

For more information on this project, please contact the Project Director, Nancy Maxson at maxson@ruralinstitute.umt.edu, (406) 243-2458.