Touchstone
The name Touchstone describes the mentoring relationship between program staff and program participants. Within this relationship mentors work towards becoming a “reference point” or “touchstone” for participants.
Through the Visions and Voices program, Touchstone also educates communities about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). As community awareness and understanding spread, participants experience increased dignity, like the ripples of a skipping stone.
TOUCHSTONE FOCUS STATEMENT
At Touchstone, we assist youth and adults with intellectual disabilities by supporting them in their everyday situations and by advocating on their behalf in their communities; thereby nurturing opportunities for their growth, belonging, and success.
TOUCHSTONE PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
The Outreach Program (Supported Independent Living
The Visions and Voices Program
AT TOUCHSTONE WE WILL:
Uphold the highest levels of quality and integrity and ensure all our programming and services adhere to professional and ethical standards
Provide case management and individualized planning
Celebrate and nurture participants’ inherent strengths
Advocate on behalf of participants when desired
Support transitions to adult services
Actively reach out to participants
Develop personalized residential support models
Ensure that participants have access to food and emergency shelters
Mentor participants using FASD, harm reduction, and trauma-informed lenses as appropriate
Build healthy therapeutic relationships with participants
Acknowledge the importance of cultural identities and strive to provide support that is culturally safe
Collaborate with families, funders, and all other external agencies who are a part of the participants’ support team in order to provide holistic services for each participant
Promote awareness of FASD in communities across Manitoba through Touchstone’s Visions and Voices Program
