The Supported Living Group

01/13/2026

🧠 New Brain Injury Research You Need to Know About
A recent study reveals a hidden and often overlooked form of brain injury affecting survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Repeated concussions and non-fatal strangulation can lead to lasting cognitive changes, even when no diagnosis has been made.

Too many survivors are left without proper screening, support, or recognition—and that’s why this research matters.

📖 Read our latest blog to learn:
✔ How domestic violence can cause brain injury
✔ Why survivors may not realize they’ve been injured
✔ What this means for long-term care and recovery

👉 Read it now: https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/abi-blog/new-research-shows-hidden-brain-injury-crisis-in-domestic-violence-survivors

New research reveals how repeated concussion and strangulation in domestic violence can cause lasting brain injury. Learn what this means for survivors.

01/09/2026

An Exhibit by SLG's Inspire Arts Program

Immerse yourself in creativity at Windsor Locks Town Hall and experience the work of artists participating in Inspire Arts, a vocational arts program established by The Supported Living Group. Inspire Arts competitively employs artists, creates meaningful professional opportunities, and raises awareness for individuals living with brain injury and other disabilities across Connecticut.

This exhibition showcases powerful, original artwork that reflects talent, resilience, and lived experience, inviting the community to engage with art that both inspires and informs.

On view: January 9th – 29th, 2026
Location: Windsor Locks Town Hall
50 Church Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
(During regular business hours)

To learn more about Inspire Arts and its mission, visit:
www.inspireartsct.com
www.supportedlivinggroup.org

01/08/2026

🧠 Protect Your Brain as You Age! 🧠

We just watched this fascinating video from BBC Reel on how to protect your brain from ageing, and it’s a great reminder that there’s a lot we can do to support brain health at any age. 🧠✨

While ageing is natural, science shows that lifestyle choices make a real difference in slowing cognitive decline and keeping your mind sharp. Regular physical activity, a nutritious diet rich in brain-friendly foods, quality sleep, and ongoing mental stimulation all contribute to long-term cognitive strength. Simple habits like learning new skills, staying socially connected, and prioritizing stress management can have a powerful impact too.
Vocal

At SLG, we’re passionate about supporting brain health, whether through community programs, cognitive engagement, or lifestyle guidance, because every part of your well-being matters. 💙

Check out the video and try incorporating just one small habit today that supports your brain for the long haul! 🧠💪

👉 Watch now: https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0jdh8px/how-to-protect-your-brain-from-ageing

Lara Lewington travels to California to meet the scientists and experts researching our brain health.

01/01/2026

What a powerful way to welcome the New Year! 🎨✨

The Supported Living Group is proud to share that Inspire Arts, our creative arts program, is featured in a group exhibition at the Sheraton Corridor Gallery inside Bradley International Airport. With nearly 9,000 travelers passing through BDL each day, this exhibit offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate creativity while elevating awareness of brain injury and recovery.

Now on display through June, the exhibition showcases nearly forty original paintings and sculptures, many of them newly created by our incredibly talented Inspire Arts artists. We are grateful for the chance to transform a high-traffic public space into a visual experience that highlights resilience, expression, and the power of the arts in healing and connection.

We invite travelers to pause, reflect, and engage with the stories behind the art, each piece representing creativity, growth, and possibility.

To lean more about SLG’s non-medical community-based brain injury support options across Connecticut call 860-774-3400 www.supportedlivinggroup.org

12/31/2025

💙 Celebrating Progress. Honoring Strength. Building Forward. 💙

As we reflect on 2025, we celebrate the growth, resilience, and achievements of the individuals we support. Every milestone reached is a testament to their determination and to the families, conservators, and partners who walk alongside them.

We look ahead to 2026 with hope, purpose, and a continued commitment to person-centered care. Together, we move forward.

12/30/2025

The start of the year can bring stress and pressure, especially for individuals on the autism spectrum, who may feel overwhelmed by changes in routine or societal expectations to “do more” or “be better.”

Our latest blog explores:

Why New Year's resolutions can be stressful for autistic individuals.

Strategies to manage anxiety and maintain emotional well-being.

How SLG’s Connecticut DSS ASD Waiver and private pay services provide structured, person-centered support to help participants thrive.

💙 At The Supported Living Group, we’re committed to helping individuals on the spectrum build skills, maintain independence, and navigate life transitions with confidence.

📖 Read the full blog here: https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/asd-blog/navigating-new-year-expectations-for-individuals-on-the-autism-spectrum-in-connecticut

The start of a new year can bring stress and pressure for individuals on the autism spectrum, especially around routine changes and societal expectations. At The Supported Living Group (SLG) , we provide Connecticut DSS Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Waiver services and private pay supports to

12/30/2025

We’re inspired by the amazing work being done every day at Ga***rd Specialty Healthcare, especially in their outpatient occupational therapy programs that support people recovering from stroke, neurological injuries, and complex brain injuries. Their commitment to excellence in physical, occupational, and speech therapy is transforming lives and restoring hope across Connecticut. https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/article/gaylord-fairfield-clinic-trumbull-stroke-ct-21225334.php?utm_content=362172745&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-139515012740287

Recently, our own Executive Director, Jamie Arber, had the privilege of visiting Ga***rd's outpatient OT program in North Haven, Connecticut, to meet with Kaila Morin, PT, DPT, CBIS, to learn more about how their Occupational Therapy program supports survivors along their recovery journey. This visit opened thoughtful conversations about possible opportunities for SLG participants to benefit from the expertise and resources at Ga***rd. We’re excited about the potential collaboration ahead! 🤝

Ga***rd’s individualized approach and focus on neurological rehab, backed by real results and compassionate care, make them a leader in helping people regain independence and build meaningful lives after injury.

🙏 To the therapists, clinicians, and staff at Ga***rd: thank you for your dedication and innovation. Your work gives individuals and families renewed strength and possibility every day.

"It also has a therapeutic effect on me to understand how far I've come over the years," says stroke survivor Garrett Mendez.

12/29/2025

🎄 The holidays can be a joyful time, but for individuals living with brain injury, they can also bring stress, fatigue, and emotional challenges.

Our latest blog explores how the season impacts brain injury survivors and offers practical tips and strategies for navigating holiday gatherings, sensory overload, and emotional ups and downs. 💙

Read the full guide here: https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/abi-blog/the-impact-of-the-holidays-on-individuals-living-with-brain-injury-and-how-to-navigate-the-season-with-support

The holiday season can be especially challenging for individuals living with brain injury. Increased sensory stimulation, fatigue, emotional stress, and changes in routine can intensify symptoms. Learn how brain injury survivors and families can navigate the holidays with practical coping strategies

12/24/2025

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our service participants, their families and conservators, and our valued industry partners. Like the changing seasons, this year has been filled with growth, resilience, creativity, and connection, and we are honored to walk this journey alongside you.

Your trust, collaboration, and commitment continue to inspire the work we do every day. Together, we create spaces where individuals are supported, strengths are celebrated, and possibilities are nurtured.

Wishing you a season filled with warmth, peace, and meaningful moments, and a new year full of hope, health, and continued partnership.

With sincere appreciation,
The Supported Living Group 💙🌿

12/23/2025

❄️✨ Creating Growth Together at SLG! ✨❄️

Today, The Supported Living Group is excited to welcome back Dr. Ivette Ruiz of Healing By Growing Farms for a private, creative, and fully accessible Winter Gardening & Growing Workshop designed especially for the SLG community.

From 1:00–2:30 PM, our program spaces in Avon, Bethany, and Danielson are transforming into mini-farms as ABI Waiver and private pay participants take part in a hands-on experience that blends learning, creativity, and connection. Using recycled jugs and containers, Dr. Ruiz is guiding our community members in building self-sustaining mini-greenhouses that make gardening accessible to everyone.

🌱 Why this workshop matters:
Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of today’s experience. Through the use of the “Safe Snip” method and simple household tools, brain injury survivors of all mobility levels and gardening backgrounds are empowered to grow their own food and flowers, building confidence alongside new skills.

During this session, participants are:
✂️ Learning safe, adaptive techniques to prep containers
🌱 Planting cold-hardy seeds that grow in harmony with nature’s timing
🍎 Exploring how kitchen scraps can become powerful nutrients
🤝 Strengthening community connections while preparing plants for the Healing By Growing Garden at SLG

At SLG, we believe growth—like nature—takes time, patience, and care. Experiences like this remind us that the most meaningful progress happens when we grow together. 🌍❤️

To learn more about SLG's range of creative community support opportunities for brain injury survivors across CT call 860-774-3400

Creating Growth Together! ❄️✨

Today is the day! Dr. Ivette Ruiz from Healing By Growing Farms is back hosting a private, creative, and accessible Winter Gardening & Growing workshop for the Supported Living Group (SLG).

From 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, we are turning kitchen tables into mini-farms!

Dr. Ruiz will be guiding the SLG community clients through a hands-on method to build self-sustaining mini-greenhouses using recycled jugs and containers.

What makes this special?

We are focusing on accessibility and community. Using the “Safe Snip” method and simple household tools, everyone in the group is empowered to grow their own food and flowers—no matter their mobility or experience level!

During this private session, we will be:

✂️ Prepping: Learning the “Safe Snip” and “Table-Leaning” methods to prep our containers safely.

🌱 Sowing: Planting cold-hardy seeds that know exactly when it’s time to wake up and sprout.

🍎 Feeding: Discovering how to use kitchen scraps to create “black gold” nutrients through the top of the jug!

🤝 Connecting: Building our team spirit as we prepare plants for the HBG Healing Garden at SLG.

Nature doesn’t grow overnight, and neither do we—we grow together, with patience and care. 🌍❤️

✨ WANT TO GROW WITH US? ✨

If you are interested in having your own Winter Gardening & Growing Series class with Dr.
Ivette Ruiz for your church, school, organization team retreat or private session, we would love to hear from you!

Please contact us at info@healingbygrowing.com to inquire about a private session for your group or organization. 🌿

Blessings from HBG!
CommunityGardening Sustainability InclusiveFarming Workshops

12/23/2025

Your Brain on the Holidays: Why Big Festive Meals Feel So Good (and Why It Matters)

Holiday meals aren’t just delicious, they’re a whole-brain experience. Neuroscience shows that festive flavors, spices, and familiar foods light up multiple parts of the brain at once, linking taste with emotion, memory, and reward. That’s why a bite of grandma’s stuffing or a sip of mulled cider can instantly bring back warm holiday memories and a sense of comfort. The combination of taste, smell, texture, and tradition triggers dopamine and endorphin release, making these moments meaningful and memorable.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251222-what-does-a-huge-festive-meal-do-to-your-brain

At the same time, our brains are wired to seek out energy-rich foods during times of stress or colder weather, so those hearty meals feel especially rewarding this time of year.

🧠 But there’s more to know: what we eat does affect how our brain functions, both in the moment and over the long term. Research suggests that diets high in fat, sugar, and processed foods can negatively influence cognition and inflammation, while balanced, nutrient-rich meals support heart and brain health over a lifetime.

At The Supported Living Group, we know that brain health is life health. Whether you’re enjoying a holiday feast with loved ones or making everyday nutrition choices, understanding how food interacts with the brain helps support well-being for all, especially individuals navigating recovery, cognitive challenges, or chronic neurological conditions.

Wishing you mindful moments with your meals and your memories this season! 💛

Many of us with throw modesty out the window when it comes to Christmas lunch. But what do these blow-out festive meals do to our body and brain?

12/22/2025

🌱 Celebrating a Milestone Moment for JT! 🌱

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the success of JT, an ABI Waiver participant who has achieved a major milestone on his recovery and vocational journey. Through hard work, perseverance, and the right community connections, JT successfully utilized SLG’s partnership with Healing by Growing Farms to build meaningful skills and hands-on experience, leading to his recent competitive employment with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). 👏

Healing by Growing Farms offers a truly unique and empowering environment for individuals living with brain injuries who have an interest in farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, and land stewardship. The program provides opportunities to develop real-world skills, confidence, routine, and purpose, often serving as a bridge between recovery and competitive employment.

JT’s success is a powerful example of what’s possible when person-centered support, community partnerships, and individual strengths align. We are grateful to Healing by Growing Farms for the meaningful opportunities they create and excited about the potential this partnership holds for SLG ABI Waiver and Private Pay participants who may be interested in similar vocational paths.

Congratulations, JT, we’re honored to be part of your journey and can’t wait to see what’s next! 🌾💙