What began as one man's love for dancing has grown to become a social and religious outreach for adults with disabilities.
The After Hours Club was formed earlier this year at Christ United Methodist Church when Bob Santee approached Anita Rigstad, director of Christian Education, and asked for a dance club.She thought about it, contacted several east-side Protestant churches and formed the club after representatives from several congregations expressed interest. "At first I was just going to try to get a representative from parents and service providers, but I decided it would be a chance for the churches to work cooperatively together."
A steering committee was formed from parents, advocates, professionals and some disabled adults. Various agencies, businesses and individuals agreed to provide the services, food, prizes and staff to help with activities, and soon the State Division of Services for Persons with Disabilities contributed funding, staff resources and a mailing list of approximately 200 people that might participate.
The outreach ministry has grown to include some 60 disabled adults, who meet monthly for a variety of social activities.
An outgrowth of After Hours has been the Friendship Hour, an interfaith Christian education and fellowship program that meets the first Sunday of each month. Each of the four participating churches - Christ United, First Baptist Church, Holladay United Church of Christ, and Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church - hosts the class and provides the leadership on a rotating basis. Members meet first for the informal education calls, then attend the church's worship service together.
Leadership is provided by professionals and parents for both groups, allowing participants the freedom to socialize and learn without carrying the burden of administration.
Rigstad said she was surprised to find, in making contact with the state, "how little organized social activity is available for the disabled. There are some activities for people who live in group homes or sheltered workshop situations, but in the community - for people living independently or with their parents - it just didn't exist."
The steering committee now includes a representative from the state Office of Persons with Disabilites, which has also agreed to give the group a grant of $200. The Brighton LDS Stake has just provided another $200 grant, and several businesses and individuals have contributed food, prizes services such as copying, printing, and photography. Bob Santee ought to be proud. He didn't know what he was starting when he wanted to dance.
For information on After Hours or the Friendship Hour, call 486-5473.