Workshop for
Adult Vocational Enrichment
of Tallahassee, Florida

The following article appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat as well as Tallahassee Democrat  on Monday, November  15, 2004.

Gretchen Everhart kids reunite with alumni buddies at socials

By Karen E. Olson, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

The waving is the first thing you notice about WAVE, the Workshop for Adult Vocational Enrichment.  Each gathering - be it a boat trip, a go-cart race or a laser-tag contest - resembles a family reunion.  Hugs, cheers and "high-five" greetings launch monthly social outings for teenagers and adults with developmental disabilities.

"When I'm around them, they're so happy," said volunteer Eva Moye, 16, a sophomore at Leon High School. "It's funny - you can be gone for four months, and the WAVE people will still remember you. Once I saw them at Publix and they came up to say 'hi' to me. They hugged me and said, 'Look what I bought.'"

The group was founded two years ago by parents whose children were outgrowing Gretchen Everhart School for Exceptional Students. Among other things, they wanted a way to stay in touch with friends.

They weren't the least bit disturbed, during a Halloween hay ride, when their truck and trailer bogged down in a swampy area near Monticello. Passengers simply swapped survival stories while waiting for another truck to take them back to Drifton Farms. "Did you see the alligator?" asked volunteer Ann Henson, who works for the Department of Environmental Protection. "Wasn't that cool? Did you know that alligator has little kids? I thought we weren't going to make it through the water ... This is WAVE history. Aren't we doing well? Last year we were playing volleyball and I fell flat on my back. The kids thought that was hilarious."

Halloween is always a hoot for her 21-year-old son, Robert, who enjoys any excuse to don a police uniform.

Back at the barn, 25-year-old Brian Mork danced around in one of his many cowboy hats. Dwight Long, 21, modeled an Elvis Presley outfit with fake sideburns. "Elvis is the king," he announced. "I've followed all his music."

After dining on barbecue, the young people decorated pumpkins and patted the horses on the 116-acre farm of Tim and Lynn Long. Their parents shared problem-solving tips.

"It's also an informal support group for the parents," said Laura Wienants, 46, a registered nurse who has a 20-year-old daughter at Gretchen Everhart. "I leave every event thinking, 'Oh my gosh, that was even more wonderful than I thought it could be.' It always surpasses my expectations."

She started the nonprofit organization with the long-term goal of creating new residential and vocational programs.  So far, the 100 regular participants have focused primarily on weekend fun. But they're also planning several service projects, such as assembling care packages for aging shut-ins.  "I really like the idea of our clients helping somebody else," Wienants said. "They need some support to get things started, but they're very warm and social and accepting. They don't have prejudices, and they do very well with the elderly population."

Last Thanksgiving, WAVE parents were invited to bring their kids to the Elks Lodge and return two hours later for a feast.  
The young people cooked and decorated. After serving ham and turkey, they told their families why they were thankful.  "They made apple pies from scratch, from nothing, which is awesome," Henson said. "We're always giving to our kids - how many times do they have a chance to give back?"

As a teenage volunteer, Moye finds it refreshing to be around other youths who seem unfazed by typical adolescent hang-ups - such as worrying about what to say or wear.  "Some are very gifted and smart in certain areas," she said. "This one guy was talking about video games that he likes. He's really good with computers."

The first time she attended a WAVE party in December 2002, Moye felt a bit awkward. Within minutes, she was busy assembling snow globes, cutting out paper snowflakes and lining up Santa's visitors.  Since then, she has brought five pals along to help. Her 17-year-old boyfriend struggled to maintain a poker face during a playful bowling competition in February.  "I said, 'Why aren't you laughing and having fun?'" Moye recalled. "He said, 'I don't want to laugh at them.' And I replied, 'You're not laughing at them, you're laughing with them.' Then he loosened up a lot."

WAVE could use more volunteers. Details: 412-9279.

Page updated: 03/17/2005

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