Meaningful Connections (previously called Acreage Adventures) provides recreational respite and community activities for young adults with intellectual abilities requiring minor-moderate support. It will be offered on Monday afternoons, and it will be presented as a monthly offering that you sign up for in advance, just like a class.
Participants must have legal guardianship to participate.
General Info
Offered every Monday afternoon from 1-4 pm (schedule may vary with holidays).
The group’s goal is to offer individuals operating at a specific intellectual level the opportunity to form genuine connections with peers who share similar interests, fostering equal interactions in a safe and welcoming environment that promotes their success.
Age group: 18-25 yrs.
Must apply and be accepted. Not first-come, first-served, as we are offering a service for a specific profile.
Located in the NW, in the neighbourhood of Bearspaw, off of Twelve Mile Coulee Road. If the young adult will be using Calgary Access Transit for the afternoon, Marianne will pick up and drop off at the Rocky Ridge Co-op grocery store.
Themes will vary monthly!
Registration and Payment Policies
You must register for the entire monthly session at least 1 week (7 days) prior to the start date to allow for group and activity planning. Full payment is required at that time, before 5 pm. Deadline/due dates will always be provided. This differs from some organizations that still offer services covered by PDD and provide invoices at the end of each month. That being said, most agencies are in the process of changing their payment policies to be provided at the beginning of the month. It will become standard due to the organizational efforts required to deliver quality service, including planning for staffing. No drop-ins, unfortunately. If you need to cancel, please note that no refunds will be issued within 1 week (7 days, including weekends) from the start date of the month, with no exceptions. Otherwise, a full refund is available if the cancellation is made at least 8 days prior to the scheduled start date. You will, however, be refunded for the day if Marianne has to cancel.
To utilize PDD funding, legal guardians hire Marianne as their Support Worker for respite and/or community support. THIS IS NOT A PDD APPROVED PROGRAM LIKE SOME FULL-TIME PROGRAMS, but you can hire me as a support worker, just like you would for an aide, and use your hours that way. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CONTACT YOUR CASE MANAGER TO HIRE AN AIDE, and the same applies to this service. Invoices will reflect the standard PDD hourly rate of $21.54 for respite and/or community hours. When applicable, a separate section on the invoice will be provided for the cost of materials and outings not covered by PDD, but which may be covered by AISH if applicable.
The Right Fit
This group is only suited and tailored to meet the social needs of individuals presenting with an intellectual disability requiring MINOR-MODERATE supports who have an assigned caregiver for legal guardianship. The purpose of this is to have participants at the same level of functioning, maximizing the potential for the development of meaningful connections. Depending on the monthly theme and activities, the group may possibly be suitable for young adults with an intellectual disability categorized as requiring moderate support; however, they would need to provide their own aide. The group is not the right fit for young adults with an intellectual disability requiring full-time support, even with an aide.
It is also important to note that the group is not suitable for young adults who are legally designated as independent in financial and health matters, where legal guardianship is not required. It is not appropriate for individuals with an IQ score within the average range, even if there is the presence of a cognitive impairment or learning disability. There would be too significant a difference between intellectual levels for effective and equal social interactions.
This group does not have the support in place to accommodate the following:
-Anything other than very minor medical needs or mobility needs.
-Unpredictable or disruptive behaviours.
-Requiring assistance with personal care.
-Requiring additional assistance outside of basic support for self-regulation should any sort of conflict or incident occur.
-Notable psychological, psychiatric, or social-emotional challenges such as a marked presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, pronounced anxiety or depression.
-Oppositional Defiance Disorder or Pathological Avoidance Disorder
-Non-verbal communication
To determine if your young adult is a good match, please contact Marianne directly at info@mariannedisipio.com, as acceptance will depend on a suitable fit.
Month of June 2026
This month, we will once again GO WITH THE FLOW of Mother Nature (and our moods)! We plan to do as much as possible outside, including the following: nature walks, activities with the horses, creative projects, visits to Bragg Creek, cooking/baking, free community outings, and yoga!
Email Marianne if you would like to join!
Dates for June include: Monday June 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd. NO PROGRAM June 29th.
Cost: $21.54/hour, totalling $64.62 per Monday. $258.48 for all 4 dates.
RECREATIONAL PROPERTY IN BRAGG CREEK
ABOUT MARIANNE DISIPIO
Marianne Disipio is a Behavioural Developmental Support Provider with Alberta Health’s FSCD program, accredited in the biopsychosocial approach at the master’s level in counselling psychology. She also holds a degree in occupational therapy, a certification in wellness/life coaching, and a yoga instructor certification. She has completed courses in expressive arts therapy and founded Equine-assisted Support©, launching a certification course for practitioners and establishing the Canadian Academy of Equine-assisted Support©.
