Contact Info Member's Site TILL
Who We Are
Springboard is a unique social club for adults and adolescents with learning disabilities or Asperger's Syndrome. Founded in 1981 by a group of parents of children with learning disabilities, Springboard now operates under the management of TILL, Inc. By participating in fun, interesting, recreational, cultural and educational activities and socializing with peers, members develop social skills and form new social relationships. Springboard has members throughout eastern Massachusetts. This model also teaches members to plan their own activities and form long-lasting connections.
In other words, by joining Springboard you will meet many new people and have a chance to make friends, develop a social circle, perhaps date, and at the very least, enjoy an active social life.
What
are special interest clubs and special events?
Can
I have a trial membership?
If I
join, what kind of commitment do I need to make?
What kind of activities does Springboard do?
Springboard welcomes adults with documented learning disabilities or Asperger's Syndrome into its groups. Adolescents between the ages of 15-19 with LD or AS may join Junior Springboard.
Completion of an application, documentation of a disability and a personal interview are required for membership. Members are required to pay monthly membership dues. After the interview with the Springboard Coordinator, the applicant is matched into a group within Springboard, based on the applicant's age, personality and schedule.
Springboard matches applicants of all ages into groups based on age, schedule and interests. Each group is made up of 10-15 members and is facilitated by a professional, paid, group leader. The groups periodically have planning sessions, where members assist in the planning of activities. Groups will occasionally plan activities with other groups.
Each Springboard group generally meets three times per month, usually two weekday evenings (Wednesday or Thursday evening, depending on the group) and one weekend day (Sat. or Sun., depending). The evening hours are around 7-9:30pm, and weekend hours vary according to the activity. In addition to the group meetings, Springboard offers monthly special interest clubs and special events, which are optional for members who would like further involvement in Springboard.
Junior Springboard meets once a month on a weekend day during the school year and several times per month during the summer.
What
are special interest clubs and special events?
Special interest clubs meet once a month for three months, and have one topic, such as Spectator Sports, Culture Club, Dating 101, Boating, or Historic Walks of Boston, to name a few. Members from all the Springboard groups have the opportunity to sign up for a club, and this is an excellent way to meet other Springboard members from a variety of groups who share similar interests.
Special events include the entire Springboard population. Events such as the Annual Family Picnic, Holiday Party, Whitewater Rafting, and dances are held yearly. During July and August only, a variety of special events are held in place of the regular group meetings.
Springboard groups meet at MBTA stations in or near Cambridge, Boston, Brookline or Newton. Each group has their favorite meeting spots that they use consistently.
Springboard membership dues are $60 per month. Junior Springboard membership dues are $30 per month during the school year and $60 per month during the summer.
The membership dues cover the cost of most of the activities, as well as the administration of the entire program including group leaders, coordinator, transportation, mail and phone communication, and many other overhead costs. Springboard is self-supporting and does not receive state or federal funding.
Can
I have a trial membership?
YES! After completing the application process and interview, Springboard offers the first month of activities FREE OF CHARGE, in order for the applicant to decide if the group is a good match.
If I
join, what kind of commitment do I need to make?
Members commit to paying the monthly dues, and to attending the three activities their group offers each month. If you choose to leave Springboard you can immediately stop paying the monthly dues, but to keep your membership active, you must pay the membership dues each month.
What kind of activities does Springboard do?
All kinds of cool things!!! Springboard groups participate in a wide array of activities. Some activities are comfortable and familiar while others may be new, unique, or challenging. Springboard's goal is to provide something for every taste and to broaden the scope of each member's interests.
Some examples of community activities include sporting events, theater, concerts, dinners, dances, clubs, museums, boating, comedy clubs, day trips, whitewater rafting, camping, skiing, and apple picking. Other meeting topics may include dating, friendships and relationships, budgeting, HIV/AIDS education, First Aid, street safety, vocational issues, discussions of housing and roommate issues, cooking, bargain shopping, or organizing holiday gift-giving.