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PROGRAMS

At Blue Heron Collective we offer a wide range of inclusive, community-centered programs designed for individuals of all abilities and skill levels. Each program and service is rooted in strength-based learning, celebrating the unique talents, interests, and perspectives that every participant brings. Programs are intentionally crafted to foster growth, confidence, and empowerment, providing supportive spaces where individuals can build skills, form connections, and explore their passions without judgment. Whether through creative expression, life skills, wellness, or social engagement, Blue Heron Collective is committed to creating welcoming environments where everyone can thrive.

  • Brain Builders

    200$
    This inclusive class is a workout for your brain designed for adults of all abilities. Improve your memory, work on organization skills and emotion regulation, through focused activities.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Self-monitoring and impulse control skills through role play
    • Identification of focus and regulation strategies
    • Targeted games for developing memory
    • Group Scenarios to enhance flexible thinking
    • Strategies for planning, organization, time management

  • Get Outside

    200$
    We will use the natural playground of the Erie Canal to explore seasonal recreation opportunities. Do what you love or try something new!
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Wednesday 10-11 am
    • Enjoy group walks on the Erie Canal towpath
    • Community-building through shared experiences in nature
    • Learn how to use a compass and read a map
    • Practice navigating outdoor spaces in the community
    • Learn how to fish or snowshoe depending on the season
    • Learn safe running habits
    • Learn some historical facts about the Erie Canal

  • Financial Well Being

    200$
    This inclusive course is designed specifically for individuals who wish to gain essential skills and knowledge for managing their finances with confidence.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Create a budget and money management plan
    • Create a weekly journal distinguishing needs vs. wants
    • Role play to develop self-Control skills around spending
    • Identify Savings Habits
    • Do research to become an informed consumer
    • Learn how to navigate credit through guest speakers
    • Receive guided help to open and manage bank accounts
    • Explore taxes and other financial topics through role play

  • STEAM Pathways: Real World Readiness

    400$
    STEAM Pathways is an inclusive class that integrates skills—such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management—with STEAM concepts
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00 - 1:30pm
    • Meets for 16 sessions
    • Engage in interactive projects
    • Discover personal strengths and creative outlets
    • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
    • Inclusive environment that adapts to your personal needs
    • Practice real-world situations to build confidence

  • Community Connections

    200$
    This inclusive class is designed to empower individuals by providing them with the knowledge and skills to engage meaningfully in their community.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Mondays 12:30 - 1:30pm
    • Participate in community service alongside facilitators
    • Research rights and responsibilities in the community
    • Research and plan volunteering, activism, and advocacy
    • Collaborate about community issues and solutions
    • Find fulfilling and empowering experience for everyone
    • Learn how to advocate for oneself and others

  • Fitness Classes Adult 17+

    200$
    Build strength, boost energy, and improve well-being with guided workouts led by facilitators who value safety and accountability. All abilities are welcome.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Fridays 11:00 - 12:00pm
    • Inclusive and adaptable for all fitness levels
    • Builds strength, balance, and flexibility
    • Boosts energy levels and reduces daily stress
    • Supports focus, attention, and mental clarity
    • Encourages healthy routines and accountability
    • Promotes better sleep and overall wellness
    • Fun, motivating environment that builds confidence

  • Shelter Helpers 1

    200$
    In Shelter Helpers, animal lovers will create and design enrichment toys through meaningful, hands-on projects.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Mondays 10:00 - 11:00am
    • Create enrichment toys for shelter animals
    • Share animal knowledge
    • Explore humane care and animal needs
    • Practice kindness, teamwork, and empathy

  • YouTube Star

    200$
    Through interactive projects, guided instruction, and real-world practice, YouTube Star empowers participants to build digital literacy, self-awareness, and confidence.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Thursdays 10:00 - 11:00
    • Explore full content creation ~ from idea to upload
    • Film and edit
    • Build confidence in voice and message
    • Develop executive functioning skills
    • Gain valuable skills for creative expression
    • Be creative in design

  • Food Fit

    200$
    This class focuses on helping participants unlock the mystery of food ingredients and how different foods support the body, energy levels, and overall well-being.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Mondays 11:15 - 12:15pm
    • Explore nutrition basics
    • Analyze ingredients, calories, serving size, preservatives
    • Learn about and plan balanced meals
    • Build and track hydration habits
    • Create journals to track food intake
    • Set individual goals centered around nutrition
    • Participate in interactive activities
    • Put nutrition goals into real world practice
    • Build sustainable habits for long term health

  • Market Ready

    200$
    Market Ready is an inclusive, hands-on program designed for individuals ages 17 who are shopping enthusiasts! This class explores the world of flea marketing and hand made goods.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Wednesdays 12:30 - 1:30pm
    • Explore products that are sold at vendor fairs and markets
    • Create products from personal ideas and talents
    • Identify products that are the latest trend at markets
    • Learn money safety
    • Build time management and organization skills
    • Research local markets
    • Learn how to create handmade goods and products
    • Collaborate with other class members

  • Shelter Helpers 2

    200$
    In Shelter Helpers, animal lovers will create and design enrichment toys through meaningful, hands-on projects.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • 17+ Fridays 1:00 - 2:00pm
    • Create enrichment toys for shelter animals
    • Share animal knowledge
    • Explore humane care and animal needs
    • Practice kindness, teamwork, and empathy

  • Spotted Rabbit Art Class @ Blue Heron

    250$
    Our weekly art class is designed to give teens and adults the perfect place to learn new techniques, express themselves visually, and connect with other creative minds.
    Valid for 4 weeks
    • Thursdays 5:30 - 7:00pm
    • Facilitator: Evelyn Varlan, LCAT-P
    • Learn how to sew and engage in other fiber arts
    • Receive instruction in acrylic & watercolor painting
    • Practice collage & mixed media art through instruction
    • Explore 3D & found object art
    • Receive explicit ceramics instruction
    • Direct instruction
    • Learn new art techniques

  • Spotted Rabbit Bi-Week Art Class @BHC-

    125$
    Our bi-weekly art class is designed to give teens and adults the perfect place to learn new techniques, express themselves visually, and connect with other creative minds.
    Valid for one month
    • Every other Thursday 5:30-7:00pm
    • Facilitator: Evelyn Varlan, LCAT-P
    • Learn how to sew and engage in other Fiber Arts
    • Receive instruction in acrylic & watercolor painting
    • Practice collage and mixed media art through instruction
    • Explore 3D & Found object art
    • Receive explicit ceramics instruction
    • Direct instruction
    • Learn new art techniques

  • Book Club

    200$
    This class is designed for the book lovers who find shared joy in reading and are looking to connect with others around a common interest.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Tuesdays 10-11am, ages 17+
    • Development of comprehension, listening, critical thinking
    • Opportunities to practice communication skills
    • Strengthening executive functioning
    • Opportunity to express shared experiences
    • Practice perspective taking
    • Opportunities to practice self-advocacy, voice and choice

  • Dessert Designs

    250$
    Participants will follow recipes, try out their own, practice safe food preparation, and develop executive functioning, communication skills in a supportive, community-based environment.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • 17 + Wednesday 11:15am-12:15pm
    • Strengthen skills through planning, measuring, organizing
    • Collaborate and communicate with others
    • Following directions, problem solving, flexible thinking
    • Learn kitchen safety, hygiene and tools
    • Creative expression through decorating and design

  • The Collective Social Club

    200$
    This is an inclusive, community-based class designed for individuals to build meaningful social connections and practice real-world interpersonal skills through structured activities.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+, Fridays 10-11am
    • Build meaningful social connections
    • Practice real-world interpersonal skills
    • Strengthen communication, executive functioning
    • Learn self-regulation strategies in a supportive environment
    • Practice communication skills such as active listening
    • Learn strategies for self-advocacy
    • Engagement in group activities

  • Golf

    300$
    In this community-based class, participants will build skills in coordination, focus, and social engagement through structured, supportive instruction to learn foundational golf techniques.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+, Mondays 2:30-4:00
    • Skill-building in motor coordination, balance
    • Development of executive functioning skills
    • Opportunities for social interaction, teamwork
    • Instruction in foundational golf skills
    • Emphasis on self-regulation, patience
    • Adapted teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs
    • Promotion of confidence, independence, healthy activity

  • Paranormal Podcasting

    200$
    This class is led by a self-advocate who has a special interest in the paranormal. Engage in creative story sharing, research, and digital media production.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+, Wednesday, 6:30-7:30pm
    • Development of communication skills through storytelling
    • Planning episodes, organizing ideas, time management
    • Guided research skills, including identifying sources
    • Hands-on experience with recording equipment and basic audio
    • Opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and peer feedback
    • Support for self-expression, confidence

  • Improv- Acting and Comedy

    200$
    Participants will engage in guided games, role-play, and performance exercises that promote flexibility, confidence, and collaboration in a supportive, community-based setting
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+, Thursdays, 2:30-3:30pm
    • Practice expressive and receptive communication skills
    • Opportunities for social interaction, teamwork
    • Practice with emotional awareness, self-regulation
    • Guided improvisation exercises to build creativity
    • Adapted facilitation and supports to meet diverse learning

  • Game Story

    200$
    This class is video games meets Dungeons and Dragons where participants put their favorite video game characters inside of a campaign.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 13+, Saturdays, 11am-12pm
    • Practice communication skills through storytelling
    • Opportunities for social interaction, teamwork
    • Practice with perspective-taking, emotional awareness
    • Build creative storytelling skills and confidence
    • Learn positive peer relationships
    • Engage with others in high interest activities

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