Spotlight on the New Journey21 Enrichment Center

The Oconomowoc Area Foundation is happy to announce the opening of the new Journey21 Enrichment Center in Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc on April 3, welcoming individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from the greater community to engage in group classes focused on fitness and movement, art and music, cooking and more.

The 10,000-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for programs, classes, events, and social gatherings with the mission to provide engaging and meaningful opportunities to cultivate friendships, develop life and social skills, and build vocational skills.

In 2022, the OAF supported the efforts of Journey21 with a grant to help fund outings intended to provide adults with IDD opportunities to build job and social skills, create friendships, and gain confidence. Journey21 was a Spotlight Nonprofit for our Grants Celebration, offering guests an in-depth look into their mission and vision.

Enriching lives

Sheila Frisinger of Delafield and Susan Marriott of Hartland met in the bleachers in 2014 during a Special Olympics track meet. The new friends discovered they had many things in common, including a desire to ensure independence and vibrant futures for their sons.

The seeds for Journey21 were planted and what started as shared hopes and dreams between two families has grown into a collaborative nonprofit organization co-founded by Frisinger and Marriott in 2021 to develop safe, supportive, and enriching living and learning options for adults with IDD.

According to the Journey21 website, there are more than 39,000 adults with IDD in Wisconsin, many of whom are being supported by and living with caregivers over the age of 60. At age 21, most of the services and support provided to children and young adults with IDD by the public school system comes to an end. With the end of those resources, families are forced to search for new avenues of independence for their children.

Journey21 began offering programs, outings, and clubs in June 2021 and then launched its campaign to develop a 12-acre learning and living community in Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc with the groundbreaking of its Enrichment Center on May 11, 2022.

“We wanted our enrichment center to be a welcoming gathering place and to feel like home. Our belief is community builds opportunities and through our partnerships with nonprofits, schools, and businesses, we will be an extension of what places like the YMCA, Zachariah’s Acres, and St. Coletta are already doing,” said Mike Brauer, Executive Director for Journey21.

Journey21 received a grant from the OAF in 2022 and was honored as the spotlight nonprofit during the OAF’s Grants Celebration, offering guests and in-depth look into their amazing vison to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from the greater community. Pictured from left: Caty Bulgrin-Journey21 Director of Operations, Matt Frisinger-Journey21 Self-Advocate Ambassador, Heidi Hamilton-Journey21 Program and Enrichment Center Director, Lynda Kohler-Journey21 Board of Directors member, and Sheila Frisinger-Journey21 Co-Founder and President. Photo by Kate Seymour

Grand opening celebration

The community is invited to the Journey21 Enrichment Center Grand Opening Celebration and Open House from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday April 22. There will be tours of the new facility, information about programs and services, arts and crafts demonstrations, music and drum performances, fitness activities, and more.

Cookies made in the center’s teaching kitchen and beverages will also be served. No reservations required. The Journey21 Enrichment Center is located at 1671 Old School House Road in Pabst Farms. For more information, visit Journey21’s website.

Journey21 Enrichment Center featured in the Oconomowoc Enterprise April 6, 2023. Article by Rebecca Seymour