About Ganister Station
How we started and what we do!
Ganister Station Adult Day Care Services is a non-profit organization started by David and Theresa Mattern in 2005. David and Theresa wanted to create a family-oriented program where people with intellectual disabilities could go to enjoy their day participating in daily activities such as crafts, cooking, singing, exercising, playing games, going out to shop, volunteering, bowling, picnics, carnivals, sporting events, etc. Families contacted Theresa over the years requesting that she open day programs in their area for their family members to attend. This resulted in Theresa purchasing properties to open four Ganister Station Adult Day Service locations across three different counties (Blair, Cambria, and Somerset).
When Theresa first opened Ganister Station, her goal and hope was to provide an array of activities to adults with intellectual disabilities so that they would have something to look forward to on a daily basis. As owners of a residential service called Mattern House, Inc., Theresa and David noticed that some of the individuals that resided in their homes were not being stimulated and engaged at the day program that they attended. One young man, would go to day program and sleep all day. This motivated Theresa and David to open a day program to help encourage the people who attend to live a productive life and gain self-reliance and self-esteem and be motivated to make friends and have an everyday life.
Throughout the years, Ganister Station continues to be committed to providing excellent services to each person that we support while embracing the values and principles of Everyday Lives and Positive Approaches; providing a healthy, safe environment that enables people to live and actively participate in their community with individualized supports.
Scope of Program
Ganister Station uses person-centered planning which provides a positive environment that allows each person receiving services to grow, live a desirable life, and gain a greater self-esteem and independence. We offer each person a chance to develop relationships with other adults in the facility as well as the opportunity to experience and become valued members of their community. Integration in the community is the key element of our service design. Ganister Station believes that integration means more than providing or receiving services in a building. It requires a service delivery system which encourages real meaningful interaction between and among persons regardless of the existence of disability, severity of disability, age, religion, sex, race, or creed.
The fundamental principles of Person Centered Supports are…
Each person shall have the authority to define and pursue his own vision
Self-determination is a must
Personal relationships and community membership are valued
All team members must work together in support of the person’s vision.
People and families must participate as valued and empowered partners in all decision making.
Individuals must have supports to contribute to their communities and engage in meaningful work
Families are supported and valued
The personal security and well being of the person must be ensured.
There must be a resolute, continuous commitment to achieve excellence in all dimensions of supporting individuals and families and realizing their vision.
Ganister Station provides community participation services for all participants who attend Ganister Station. This allows participants to increase their social and physical interaction enabling them to build relationships and become valued members of the community.
The people who attend Ganister Station will be introduced to resources available to them including recreational, adult education, cultural, service organizations, mental health agency services and senior citizen centers. Services that are provided will be on an individual or small group basis, thereby providing greater opportunities for interaction and the development of friendships with people they meet in the community.
Ganister Station offers transportation to and from day program to individuals who are not currently being served by a residential provider. While at the day program, staff provide transportation out into the community for the individuals as needed.
If you or your loved one are looking for a day program to give each day purpose and allow for opportunities to make new friends and go out into the community, please contact us today. We would welcome the opportunity to see if Ganister Station is a good fit for you!