This spring, Penfield will relaunch its TIES Program, creating inclusive opportunities for students in and outside of school. Standing for Together Including Every Student, TIES gives students with developmental or intellectual disabilities the chance to join extracurricular, community, and recreational activities of their choice — with support from their peers.

Participants can include students in the District between the ages of 8 and 22 who have developmental or intellectual disabilities and would like to take part in activities with the support of a fellow student. Peer volunteers are students in grades 8-12, who receive training and an individual support plan tailored to the participant’s needs.Together, the student pairs build leisure skills, community and school connections, and friendships. They can participate in a variety of activities together, including joining after-school clubs, watching school sporting events, visiting libraries or community recreational centers, or attending school events such as dances, fun nights, and more. Additionally, activity leaders – who are often school staff or parents – can create unique experiences and activities that promote inclusion and celebrate the TIES participants and peer volunteers. 

The program is supported by a TIES coordinator, who acts as a resource for the District, helps develop the individual support plans in partnership with participants and their families, recruits and trains peer volunteers, and ensures the program runs smoothly.

“We’re very excited to have TIES return to Penfield,” said Jamie Naple, Director for Specialized Programming and Supports. “This program opens the door for students to explore activities they love with peers who are cheering them on. The energy, inclusion, and growth that come from TIES are incredible, and serve as a powerful example of what can happen when we intentionally build inclusive spaces.”

TIES is being offered at Penfield in partnership between the Office of Special Education and Starbridge, a nonprofit organization that serves people who have disabilities - and their families and others who support them – and helps them achieve success in education, employment, and healthy living.

Join TIES

Penfield is currently recruiting peer volunteers. Once this process is complete, participant applications will open. For questions about Penfield TIES, email Jessica DeWitt, Penfield TIES Coordinator, at jdewitt@starbridgeinc.org or visit Penfield’s TIES webpage.