Willows Way

Meet Kenzie! We asked her what she loves most about her job as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Her response is another testament to why we are passionate about our work at Willows Way. "Building relationships with the clients is so fun. Seeing all the amazing achievements of each of the clients makes me so happy! Watching them live each of their lives to their fullest potential is very heartwarming! I love being a part of this amazing company and couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else!" #willowsway #findingourway

Willows Way would like to recognize Orchard Farm Boy Scout Troop 975 for their assistance with a client's yard. The troop helped Ellen by cutting away dead wood, trimming shrubs, and restoring her flower garden, which had been accidentally damaged during a utility upgrade. They also re-mulched her flowerbed and replanted new daisies! Eighteen scouts and parents came together to help fix up Ellen's home and yard. Ellen expressed her gratitude, stating, "I don't know what I would have done without their help. I am grateful for the time and effort they spent to help me." We appreciate all of your compassion and hard work! #willowsway #findingourway

The new pavilion is officially ready for use! A group of Willows Way members broke in the new space and celebrated with a picnic. The party was a hit with yummy food and a lot of laughs between friends. Tim had been looking forward to testing his skills on the grill, and judging by everyone's smiling faces, it was a success. Tim said, "I've been wanting to learn how to grill for a while, and with Marc's help, I grilled sixty hotdogs! It was fun!" We love for our members to try new skills whenever the opportunity allows. Like Tim, many of our members try new things and enjoy new experiences every day. #findingourway #willowsway

Every year, Willows Way hosts the Party in the Park event. The event provides a great opportunity for clients, families, and staff to come together for an evening filled with fun, laughter, and lots of love! The evening was made extra special with catering by Patty's Catering, a DJ booth, and plenty of games. Events like Party in the Park allow clients and families from different programs to mingle and create friendships to last a lifetime. We are eagerly looking forward to next year! #willowsway #findingourway

Traveling allows us to be adventurous, explore unfamiliar places, and embrace new experiences with friends. When a group of six of our Realities members took a trip to Memphis, they were able to do just that! After a long ride and a lot of excitement, the group was welcomed by Memphis' vibrant energy and rich history. They explored everything, from Graceland to Beale Street, with Graceland being a fan favorite. When asked, Leo said, "It was great to visit Elvis Presley's home, see all of his costumes, and eat at the diner! It was my favorite." Looking back on the trip, this group will remember great memories made with friends that will last a lifetime. #findingourway #willowsway

Everyone was excited to participate in the Annual Willows Way Field Day last month! Full of fun activities, our group was able to indulge in some yummy treats, share lots of laughs, and work as a team on the field. Not only were we joined by our members and staff, but we also had special visitors from Maryville University students who helped with the games, the Craftsman Cares team who cooked up delicious meals, Donna at Spunkybeans with balloon art, and Kona Ice with some sweet treats! Doug, a Willows Way member, told us, "I enjoyed the whole thing! Walking around, seeing everybody." Having events where we can be physically active and foster teamwork is just one of the great opportunities that our program offers. #findingourway #willowsway

We love for our clients to share their passions, which sometimes means hosting events! Tina, the host and bartender of the craft and mocktail event, enjoys creating fun drinks at home and wanted to share her passion with the group. We asked her to share her secret to crafting a good mocktail, to which she replied, "A splash of seltzer, a splash of lemonade, and two squirts of lavender syrup make the perfect drink!" ?? The event was a success, and the room was filled with the smell of lavender, the sound of laughter, and lots of love. Needless to say, everyone who attended left the evening with lasting memories and a yummy drink recipe! #findingourway #willowsway

At Willows Way, we motivate our clients to pursue their goals because we know they will eventually hit a home run! Our RISE, ISL, and Realities groups enjoyed a special day of baseball and bonding. We encourage our clients to branch out and connect with other program members. When we asked the gang what their favorite part of the day was, Samantha said, "Seeing friends and spending time watching the game" is what she enjoyed most. While Andrea liked "watching the players score home runs." Thanks to the St. Louis Cardinals for providing us with 100 tickets through the St. Louis Cardinals Community Ticket Program. We were able to bring our groups together for an amazing afternoon! #willowsway #findingourway

Join us in recognizing our DSP team for National Direct Support Professionals Week! We are so lucky to have a passionate team ready and willing to join us in our mission of assisting adults with disabilities to live life beyond limits. You are rockstars! #willowsway #nationaldspweek #directsupportprofessionals

The Realities program aims to offer clients the space to create friendships, have new adventures, and gain life skills. Recently, our group went on a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright home. They enjoyed each other's company and learned about Wright's creative process and the principles that guided his work. Like Wright, we encourage our clients to embrace creativity and follow their dreams. Not only that, but we want to ensure our clients can explore spaces they haven't been before. Lisa said, "It was a great day, and I would like to plan an event to see another historical site. I don't get out of St. Charles County much, so being able to go to St. Louis and see some of the sites is fun." Our visit left clients Louis, Lisa, and Amala with a renewed sense of wonder and admiration for the art of building. #findingourway #willowsway