Cave Springs Adult Day Center

01/13/2026

01/13/2026

For people with intellectual disabilities loneliness doesn’t live in buildings. It lives in the absence of relationship.

In institutions, people were surrounded by staff. In apartments, people are often surrounded by silence. Neither creates community. Neither creates friendship. Both can leave a person unseen, unmissed, and unknown.

What makes a place human is not its size. For some people we replaced one kind of isolation with another and called it progress.

Without friendship, a home becomes a holding place.

Our work, the real work, is helping people live connected instead of managed. Connected to neighbours. Connected to familiar places. Connected to people who show up as friends in your life because they want to, not because they are paid to.

That is why friendship matters more than housing. That is why one of the most important training modules for direct support professionals is, without a doubt, the Open Future Learning module: Building Friendships and Community.

Because this module offers a full range of practical strategies support workers can use, not only to help people build friendships and community, but to sustain them over time.

Are you a director of training and do you want to see how Open Future Learning can work for your team? Link to demo: https://www.openfuturelearning.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=login.RequestDemo

P.S. Open Future is now SCORM compliant. Use our courses on any LMS!
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ID: Drawing shows a building with a lot of windows. All of the windows are black showing no lights on inside. There is a sign on top of the building that reads "Institution" - next to the building is a man in a suit with his arm pointing to the building - a speech bubble from the man says "We closed all of the institutions."

Under the above is a replica of the building, this time one light is on in one of the windows of the building to indicate that one person is at home. The sign on top of the building reads "Apartments" next to the building is a man sat in a wheelchair - a speech bubble from the man says "Did you?"

Small text along the bottom of the image reads: "An institution isn't a building."
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Art by

01/10/2026

Funeral arrangements for our friend Richard are below:

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Location: Pitman’s Funeral Home
1545 Wentzville Pkwy
Wentzville, MO 63385
Wake (Visitation): 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Funeral Service: Begins at 2:00 PM

01/10/2026

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our dear friend, Richard, who was a cherished part of both Cave Springs ADC and Wentzville ADC.

He brought so much love, joy, and connection to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His presence was felt in big and small ways, and he will always be remembered as part of our Adult Day Center families.

We hold Richard’s loved ones, friends, and all who cared for him close in our thoughts during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered. 🤍

Funeral arrangements for Richard are below:

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Location: Pitman’s Funeral Home
1545 Wentzville Pkwy
Wentzville, MO 63385
Wake (Visitation): 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Funeral Service: Begins at 2:00 PM

01/02/2026

Planned communities for people with intellectual disabilities are often sold as progress. They come with glossy brochures and careful language: safety, belonging, independence, “community.”

And I understand the appeal. Families are tired of waiting lists, crisis placements, and broken supports. When the system fails this badly, anything stable can feel like hope.

And yes, there may be people who want to live in a setting like this. Some may prefer being near others or having supports close by. The problem isn’t that this option exists. The problem is what happens when it becomes the option. How many people truly choose this, and how many accept it because other real choices were never built, funded, or offered?

Choice isn’t real when it’s “take this or have nothing.” It isn’t real when individualized supports in ordinary neighbourhoods are unavailable. And it isn’t real when safety is used to justify segregation.

We also need to talk about power. Parents are often the driving force behind planned communities, acting out of deep love, fear, and exhaustion. Their advocacy can move governments and unlock funding in ways their sons and daughters cannot. But this places people with intellectual disabilities in a difficult position: living in environments chosen for them, not always by them. When parental voices dominate planning, self-direction can quietly disappear, even when everyone believes they are doing the right thing.

Planned communities also send a message to the rest of society: “Don’t worry. We’ve taken care of them.” It relieves the neighbourhood, the employer, and the community from having to learn how to include. It allows exclusion to remain intact, and simply builds an alternate world for the people who are excluded.

But inclusion is not a disability service. Inclusion is a community responsibility.

We don’t need “a community for them.” We need a world that makes room. That means ordinary homes, individualized supports, flexible funding, and support teams that follow the person rather than buildings that require the person to fit the program.

We already have communities.

What we lack is the will to share them.
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ID: Image shows plans for a planned community for people with intellectual disabilities in a very isolated location. Text reads: People with intellectual disabilities...? "Don't worry. We've taken care of them."

12/24/2025

What a special and joyful time we shared during our musical performance with friends and family! From the rhythm of the drum line to beautiful solos, duets, and our choir’s heartfelt songs, every moment was filled with music, laughter, and holiday cheer. We are so thankful for everyone who joined us, supported our performers, and helped make this gathering such a meaningful celebration. These are the moments and memories we will cherish together as we celebrate the season. 🎶❤️🎄

12/24/2025

What a joyful season it’s been as we counted down the days to Christmas with friends! Our holiday festivities were filled with music, laughter, and so much cheer. We loved sharing a special musical show featuring an energetic drum line, beautiful singing solos and duets, and a heartwarming choir performance. 🥁🎼🎹🎤🧑‍🎄

In between the music, friends and family enjoyed our Christmas refreshments, boutique sale and making memoies together.

Last Friday we danced and visited with Santa and even a surprise appearance from the silly Grinch! ❤️💚🎅

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this season so meaningful and fun. We’re so grateful for the memories we’ve made together as we celebrate the joy of Christmas!🫶🎄

10/24/2025

Our friends at Cave Springs have been busy, all year, creating unique and beautiful crafts for sale in their boutique. Please feel free to stop in & view these incredible creations and let them help you with your gift giving needs! You may also call the site manager, Marnnie Nelson, at 636-352-7585 or email at mnelson@ cavespringsadc.com to inquire.

10/16/2025

Great Job DDRB for continuing to spread the good word of what collaboration and inclusion can do to strengthen our community and its members! We all benefit when we work together! 💕

10/16/2025

🦇 Guess who showed up at program today?
Batman himself! One of our clients surprised everyone by showing up in full costume — mask and all! We’re starting to think the Joker better watch out… he might be in trouble! 😄🦸‍♂️

10/13/2025

🍬 Happy National M&M Day from CSADC! 🍬
Our crew had a blast celebrating with colorful treats, laughter, and lots of smiles! The best part wasn’t just the candy, it was seeing all the friendships and fun that make this group so special. 💛

And exciting news… our scarecrow officially has a name! After today’s vote, we’re happy to introduce Brutus to the front porch crew! 🌻🎃

We truly have the sweetest bunch around — full of kindness, creativity, and friendship! ❤️💙💚💛

10/13/2025

🎃🍁 Fall fun is in full swing at our Day Program! Our crew has been busy building our very own scarecrow to welcome everyone from the front porch! 👋🌻

He’s looking mighty festive — but he’s missing one thing… a name! 👀

The crew will be voting after lunch today to decide what to call our new friend. Stay tuned to see what name wins! 🗳️✨