The Purple Cat is a day program for adults with special needs. The program helps people develop daily-living skills through vocation and creative projects.
The program is run by the Family and Community Services of Mercer County. They are a nonprofit agency that supports programs for people with intellectual and physical disabilities and their caregivers. The agency also helps people who have autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injuries.
The Purple Cat is a day program for adults with special needs. The program helps people develop daily-living skills through vocation and creative projects.
The Purple Cat has grown from serving just four individuals in 1998 to providing services for more than 100 people in the Mahoning Valley. Today, the nonprofit organization operates three facilities in Austintown, Canfield and Youngstown.
The Purple Cat also runs a thrift store at 810 S. State St., Girard, where many of the participants work to sort donated items for sale.
The Purple Cat is a day program for adults with special needs. The program helps people develop daily-living skills through vocation and creative projects.
Programs include:
Adult day services
Creative arts studio
Community living experience
We also offer vocational evaluation and training, habilitation services, and supported employment.
The Purple Cat is a day program for adults with special needs. The program helps people develop daily-living skills through vocation and creative projects.
The Purple Cat’s vocational program teaches skills to help participants obtain and maintain employment.
Individuals who are not ready for the job market work on basic skills, such as:
- Learning how to follow directions
- Working in a group setting
- Developing communication skills
Purple Cat helps people with special needs to develop daily-living skills through vocational and creative projects. It is a day program for adults with special needs located at the Purple Cat campus on the city’s South Side. The program was founded in 1998 by Judy Gillespie, a former teacher who wanted to find a way for her son, Matt, to live an independent life after he finished school.
The Purple Cat offers a wide range of services from transportation and meals to socialization and vocational training. The Purple Cat also offers a work activity program where individuals can earn money through paid work in the community. Individuals are matched with employers based on their interests and abilities. This year, The Purple Cat has partnered with more than 100 local businesses who provide job training opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Purple Cat is a unique day program that provides vocational and creative opportunities for adults with special needs and disabilities. The program helps clients develop their social, leisure and daily living skills through hands-on learning.
On the vocational side, Purple Cat offers a variety of jobs. One client creates scrapbooks for local customers; another makes paper products for sale in the Purple Cat shop; others bag popcorn or prepare mailings. Creative projects are another way clients can express themselves — from painting to crochet to jewelry making to photography — there’s always something fun going on at Purple Cat!