Editor’s note: The News Compass features nominated residents as Everyday Heroes in an ongoing series. To nominate someone you know in the community that goes above and beyond to make Prior Lake a better place, send us their name and the reason you are nominating them to info@plnewscompass.org.

Six area women, five of whom grew up in Prior Lake and still live here, are on a mission to help adults with special needs who are oftentimes forgotten or do not have access to essential services.

Leslie Hagen’s desire to fulfill that goal began long before they joined forces. She, along with Carrie Boegeman, Staci Herold, Sara Ford, Darcy Brugger and Sarah Less have been working for nearly two years to create a safe meeting place where young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can socialize, learn new skills and contribute back to the community. Their efforts took a leap forward last year when “The Sunshine Social Club” officially opened in Prior Lake.

Hagen’s passion for starting the organization became a priority before her daughter, Abby, turned 21. Abby has autism, and like other young adults with disabilities, always received support services outlined in the Individual Education Plan that is followed by their school district. Once those individuals reach age 22, services cease. The change can be life altering for both the young adult and family members since full-time employment or continuing at a post-secondary school are not always options, she said.

“Many families describe the end of structured services as falling off a cliff,” Hagen said. “Leaving the school environment that they have known all their life means the loss of their daily routine, friendships and sense of purpose they have developed over many years. The result can be confusion, sadness and increased anxiety.”

Hagen said she was at first astounded and discouraged to find few options were available. Her longtime friends rallied around her and the group initiated the steps to create a new program to help fill the void in the community.

“When we began looking, only one program in the south metro had availability and we did not feel it was the right fit for what we wanted for Abby,” Hagen said. Currently, there are only three day service support programs in Scott County, Less added.

Parents and caregivers of some people with special needs have few alternatives in securing safe environments outside of the home. Some young adults are able to care for themselves and have jobs. Other individuals with special needs may require a lot of supervision, leaving families searching to find people to help. For working parents, that can be incredibly stressful. Many families have to hire a personal care assistant for their loved one, or an adult family member must quit their job to stay home and care for them. Hagen says she’s fortunate to be a stay-at-home parent, but not everyone has that ability.

Adults living in the area who are 18 years of age and up could benefit from The Sunshine Social Club, according to Less. She notes it’s not unusual for a member of the group to be contacted by a local social worker asking when they will open.

The women researched other organizations in the Twin Cities area that had established programs to help young adults. They found there are many state mandates that govern such programs since participants are oftentimes vulnerable.

“To open a day services support program, we need special licensing, and we have learned that it’s going to be a long time until our license application will be looked at,” Hagen said. “We have decided to pivot and start offering more learning options, classes and social opportunities for people to attend with their personal care assistant or other support person. We have held a couple of small get-togethers already, but we are excited to get more on the calendar.”

Successes achieved to date include leasing of space on Gateway Street in Prior Lake. The Sunshine Social Club has attained non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service so it can solicit donations and host fundraising activities. Upcoming events include a bean bag tournament on April 12 in New Prague, and a golf tournament in July. Help from business professionals who have legal or accounting skills would be appreciated. They anticipate hiring an activities coordinator in the near future and they will begin seeking volunteers who can lead programs for young adults who have special interests. Options could include classes in exercise, music, gardening, art, cooking or other skills someone is willing to share. Teaching specific business skills will also be considered.

“We view that this will not only benefit young adults, but parents, too,” Ford said. “They want to make certain their child is safe. We need to be very inclusive in helping others, and Prior Lake has always been open to that.”

“The amount of support we’ve received from so many people, along with the businesses in Prior Lake, has been overwhelming and we are so grateful. With their help, The Sunshine Social Club is happening,” Hagen said. “We know that what we are planning may not be a perfect fit for every person. If someone is looking to start something for their loved one, we are willing to help and share what we’ve learned. There will never be too many options for the amazing people we aim to serve.”

For more information on the organization, go to: https://www.thesunshinesocialclub.org/