Full Circle Program

Full Circle is a YMCA outreach program that gives individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability access to classes and activities that encourage self-sufficiency, socialization and staying active—all qualities that help them build critical relationships with their typically functioning peers.

Focus

Full Circle builds each participant’s developmental assets, personal strengths, self-confidence and other cognitive and non-cognitive skills through sports, swim lessons, music instruction, movement classes and more. For many families, Full Circle is a respite that offers parents the security of knowing their child is in a safe, structured and nurturing environment.

Locations

Founded at the Brentwood Family YMCA in 2001, Full Circle’s presence has since expanded to the Bellevue, Green Hills and Donelson-Hermitage YMCAs, and now serves more than 200 Middle Tennessee families who have at least one family member with a developmental disability.

Program Details

Eligibility: Full Circle is open to kids and adults ages 3 and up who have a developmental disability.

Cost: Free for YMCA members. Full Circle programs are offered to members at no cost thanks to grants and contributions from the YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign. Summer camp, sports programs, and swim lessons are available to non-members for a fee.

Contact: Email Tracey Jernigan at tjernigan@ymcamidtn.org

Activities Offered:

Full Circle Swim Lessons

Participants receive individual swim instruction from certified YMCA aquatics personnel, with adaptive equipment and lessons tailored to each person’s needs and abilities.

Full Circle Sports

Full Circle Sports provides a fun, non-competitive environment for people who have a developmental disability to learn the fundamentals of the game while also growing in spirit, mind and body. Leagues are open to both children and adults, and games will take place at age-appropriate levels.

Participants engage in structured basketball, softball and soccer programs. For more information, contact your center.

Adult Day Program

Offered to adults 21+ who have completed Transition 2 Life in the public school system. The program provides opportunities through monthly Friday night socials and activities ranging from the fine arts and fitness to cooking and life skills. The program runs four days a week from August to May.

After-school and Out-of-School Time Activities

Additional recreational and social Full Circle activities include music and movement instruction, teen nights, walking club, fitness, yoga and stretching classes.

 

Full Circle Summer Recess

Participants have fun, learn new skills and develop healthy habits in this tailored version of YMCA Day Camp*. 

*Summer Recess has a nominal $25 member fee.

Work Program

Participants receive job training to prepare them for the workforce.