Cornell Cooperative Day Habilitation


In August 2004, IGHL established the Cornell Cooperative Day Habilitation located on the grounds of the Cornell Cooperative Extension at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank. This unique program provides day services to 12 developmentally disabled adults who have aged-out of their educational programs. The program satisfies the requests of parents and consumers to establish a small program environment within the community as an option to the traditional day treatment setting.

At the Cornell Day Habilitation program, participants volunteer their time to perform community services such as: raking; painting signs, park benches and picnic tables; general grounds clean-up; planting and beautifying the grounds; planting in the fields; and cultivating vegetables. Throughout the year, educational and training opportunities are provided in a variety of areas pertaining to the farm.

Cornell Cooperative provides IGHL a Hub space, which is heated, has adequate bathroom facilities and sufficient space for a meeting place to plan daily activities. In addition, Cornell provides a fully functioning greenhouse during the year that the group is paid for their efforts.