Social

Justice
Intern
Manual
Misericordia
Personal Effectiveness Program

Created by Samantha Dane

Introduction
Welcome to the Social Justice program and welcome to P.E.P! Get
ready for an amazing, rewarding experience that will teach you about adult
with developmental disabilities, Misericordia, and yourself. I will miss this
position very much and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
P.E.P. is day programing for 15-17 Misericordia residents whom need
a little more individualized attention. Many of the residents have a behavior
that we are trying to avoid. Each of the residents bring their unique
personalities to the group, making it a dynamic program. At first, it may
seem overwhelming trying to get to know each resident (and instructors!)
but give yourself time and jump right in! Everyone is friendly and wants to
help you.
I know when I started I felt a little lost. I wasnt sure how to do a lot of
things and wasnt even sure what needed to be done. I think that everything
is a work in process so I came up with the idea of this manual to hopefully
make things a little better for you! This will give you a good idea of what to
expect before you even begin. That will let you make a bigger impact in the
short time youre there!
Im not sure which days youll be going to work. I went primarily on
Mondays and Wednesdays, with Fridays as needed. Because of this, much of
my information is about activities that take place on those days, such as

yoga and music therapy. However, much of it, such sensory room and meal
plan information, will be useful no matter which days you go on.
Good luck with the year! I have full confidence that you will do great
things. Please reach out if you have any questions at sdane@luc.edu or
586)322-7183.
-Samantha Dane, P.E.P. Intern 2014-2015

P.E.P. Schedule
Below is the general schedule that P.E.P. follows. The name in
parenthesis is the individual who generally ran that activity this past year
(this may change in the coming year) to give you an idea of what you may
be doing. Youll find that sometimes things can get off schedule but this
helps to give everyone an outline of what the days will look like.
MONDAY

Choice 1

Choice 2

9-9:30am

Arrival

9:30-10am

PEP Talk/Juice

Vocational Work

10-10:45am

Morning Meeting
(Isaac)

Lunch Prep
(Samantha)

10:45- 11:30

Hot Lunch Prep

Vocational (Susie)

Choice 3

(Samantha)
11:3012:30pm

Lunch

12:30-1:00pm

Clean-up/Hygiene

1:00-1:45

Yoga
(Rita/Samantha)

Social Skills (Isaac)

1:45-2:15

Art (Sarah)

Book Club (Isaac)

Vocational Work
(Susie)

2:15-2:30

WrapUp/Snack/Home

TUESDAY

Choice 1

Choice 2

Choice 3

9-9:30am

Arrival

9:30-10am

PEP Talk/Juice

Escorting McAuley
(Susie)

Vocational Work

10-10:30am

Morning Meeting
(Isaac)

Escorting McAuley
(Susie)

Lunch Prep

10:30- 11:15

PEP OT Group
(Isaac)

Vocational Work

Lunch Prep

11:3012:30pm

Lunch

12:30-1:00pm

Clean-up/Hygiene

1:00-2:15

SMART Board- Unit

of the Month
activity (Isaac)

2:15-2:30

WrapUp/Snack/Home

WEDNESDA
Y

Choice 1

9-9:30am

Arrival

Lunch

Lunch

Mass- leave at
11am(Susie)

Swimming

Vocational
Exploration (Susie)

Choice 2

Choice 3

9:30-10am

PEP Talk/Juice

Vocational Work

Grocery Store

10-10:30am

Morning Meeting
(Isaac)

Vocational Work
(Susie)

Lunch Prep
(Samantha)

10:30-11am

Music with Andrew

(Isaac)

11:11:30am

Movement

11:3012:30pm

Lunch

12:301:15pm

Clean-up/Hygiene

1:15-2:15pm

Vocational Work
(Isaac)

2:15-2:30pm

WrapUp/Snack/Home

THURSDAY

Choice 1

9-9:30am

Arrival

9:30-10am

Lunch Prep
(Samantha)
Healthy Food Cart
on SMARTboard
(Isaac)

Lunch Prep
(Samantha)

Music Therapy
(Jose/Samantha)

Choice 2

Choice 3

PEP Talk/Juice

Escorting McAuley
(Susie)

Lunch Prep

10-10:30am

Morning Meeting

Escorting McAuley
(Susie)

Lunch Prep

10:30- 11:15

OT Group (Alisa)

Vocational Work

Lunch Prep

Mass- leave at
11am(Susie)

11:3012:30pm

Lunch

12:301:00pm

Clean-up/Hygiene

1:00-2:15

SMART Board- Unit

of the Month
activity (Isaac)

2:15-2:30

WrapUp/Snack/Home

FRIDAY

Choice 1

9-9:30am

Arrival

9:30-10am

PEP Talk/Juice

Vocational
Exploration

10-10:45am

Morning Meeting

Vocational Work

Lunch Prep (Susie)

10:4511:30am

Awards (Isaac)

iPad/Photo Club

Lunch Prep (Susie)

11:3012:30pm

Lunch

12:301:15pm

Clean-up/Hygiene

1:15-2:15pm

Games (Isaac)

2:15-2:30pm

WrapUp/Snack/Home

Swimming (Susie)

Vocational
Exploration

Choice 2

Choice 3

Music in the Gym

P.E.P. Sensory Room

The sensory room is a space for the residents to relax and calm down
in. Sometimes a resident will come in here if the rest of P.E.P. is too loud or
if they are feeling overwhelmed. After lunch, most of the residents come
into the Sensory Room to relax before afternoon activities. This is a great
time to bond with the residents. You have a chance to sit and talk with
them. Plus, some of the residents (KW, DB, and CM especially) enjoy having
their hair brushed or arm tickled with the white brush with gives you a
unique way to bond with them.
The switch to the right of the door controls the main features of the sensory
room. Switched to the left are turned on. During the day and especially
after lunch, switch A, C, and D on. Also, turn on the group of string lights.

Controlled by light switch

A.

Projector
Sometimes takes a few minutes to warm up and
turn on.

B.

Lights
Refers to overhead light.

C.

Air Tube
To turn on colored light as well, use big button
on wooden part in front.

D.

Disco ball
Works well with the projector. Some residents
may get dizzy from this so be aware.

Manually Operated
Light Strings
You must manually turn this on. The switch is on top
of the white box that is attached to the wall. It is
pictured here turned on.

Radio
Ensure the unit is plugging into the outlet to the right on the unit.

Power button use

to aturn
For
list of favorite music and radio station, see the music sheet.
system on/off, control volume,
switch between music source

CD Eject
Button

IPad Plug-in
(AUX cord kept on top of
unit)

Sensory Room

Lotion
s

Hair
brush/arm
brush
*Residents may
ask you to brush
their hair or use
the white
rectangle brush
to brush their
arms

Various sensory
items
*Playdough, snow
globes, beads, etc

Yoga Idea
Cards
*Helpful when
Rita cant come

Latex Gloves
*Can wear
while brushing
hair

Weighted
Vest/Blankets
*Only use according
to residents plans
Yoga
Mats

With your set up and cultivation of this peaceful environment,

the residents are sure to benefit!

Music at P.E.P.
On Wednesday afternoons Jose comes to P.E.P for music therapy. It is
a really great experience for everyone. Besides morning meeting, it the
longest the most residents are sitting, or dancing, together. Dancing and
singing with the residents is a great way to let down your guard and bond
with them from the beginning, They like being goofy with their friends just
like you do.
Sometimes, Joses schedule doesnt allow him to come to P.E.P. On
those days, you will likely be asked to run music for the afternoon. The
Ipads both have YouTube apps that are easy to use. Below I have listed
P.E.P. Classics that are sure to be a hit. I have also listed Suggestions of
artists or songs you might play to introduce them to something new! Many
of them I have tried with success.
P.E.P. classics

Leaving on a Jet Plane John Denver

Country Roads John Denver
Beatles (anything)
o Love Me Do
o Yesterday
o Secret
Happy Pharrell
Lean on Me Bill Withers
Whats Love Got to do with it? Tina Turner

American Pie Don McLean

Grease soundtrack
Top Gun soundtrack
Michael Jackson

Suggestions

Jack Johnson
Coldplay
Bruno Mars
Alicia Keys
Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix) Omi
Go Your Own Way Fleetwood Mac
Back to The Earth Jason Mraz
Rebel Beat The Goo Goo Dolls
Live Like a Warrior Matisyahu
Sing - Ed Sherean
Left Hand Free Alt J

Yoga
Yoga is great. Rita comes from the Fitness department on Monday
afternoon to do yoga with the residents in P.E.P. We do yoga in the sensory
room. She brings lavender hand oil and room spray. She also brings a yoga
cd to help bring a calm energy into the room. Each residents gets their own
matt with a resident on the large flat bean mattress by the door if we run
out of mats
Rita will help guide you through how to help the residents have a
relaxing session. Her therapy session is focused around a message that
deals with energy healing (bringing it back to the center or heart) and on
Thai yoga massage. You will help the residents stretch and move where they
might have difficulty.
If Rita doesnt come Use the yoga cards in the closet! Find a calm
Pandora radio station and plug the Ipad to help start calming everyone
down. Having the residents do some breathing exercises is a great way to
bring the energy to center and to help you keep everyone under control.
Susie will help more if Rita doesnt come!
Resident notes

KW
Try to get her to take off her backpack. Happy when Rita comes.
CM
Get her fingers out of her nose. Untuck her shirt. Be quiet.
LM
Lay on mat by door
AM
Quiet. Touch appropriately.
JS
Very flexible. Happy.

ABs Story
Working with AB on his story is something I will miss very much. So
cherish it!

If he arrives on time to P.E.P. and participates all day, AB earns 15

minutes of computer time to work on his story. This is strong motivation
for him to go to fitness.

AB requires help to type his story and to find pictures. He will begin
telling a story and you can just jump in, typing. AB also enjoys looking for
pictures. He will give you a description or an idea that you try to find the
best you can. With both, AB will edit as what youre making doesnt
match his idea.

Using the large timer has greatly helped AB follow the 15 minutes rule.
Set it to 15 minutes when you begin then remind him at about 5 minutes

and 1 minute about the time limit. Having him look at the clock seems to
help reinforce this. The alarm that goes off at the end sometimes makes
him a little sad or upset but he can quickly be redirected.

After the time is up, I let Andrew finish the idea we are writing or finding
the picture we are working on. Every day he is allowed to print the new
material. Once that is done, I redirect him to putting on his jacket and
collecting his stuff while I collect the printed sheets.

AB is supposed to keep his stories relatively PG. His parents prefer

that there are no zombies. They also prefer that the characters arent
directly attaching or fighting something in his story. Make sure pictures
follow this rule as well. Cover any weapons or blood with a symbol.
Here is an example of what to expect:
Chapter 19: Starship Troopers
Giant mutant alien bugs were running loose in the biolab facility. They broke out of their test
room and an alarm started flashing red. One of them grabbed a scientist and hopped in a
spaceship. The leader of this breakout was Dr. Locust. The starships troopers were flying on their
way. There must have been a breakout! Alright troops, lets get on our way. Get your gear on and
well find those giant bugs and exterminate the lab. Overload was working with bugs but Plasma
was with the good guys. A giant alien centipede knocked over half of the starship troopers
station. Oh no, well never be able to get in! Its blocked

Starship Troopers

Queen of the Giant Locusts A meeting of the

troops

General Scar-Eye

The Raging Scorpion

Troopers

Starship

P.E.P. Kitchen
P.E.P. kitchen is where I bonded the most with the residents, and
where I learned the most. Its also where I focused much of my time at
Misercordia (hence how long this section is!)
At first, it seemed overwhelming. You have to juggle diet plans,
getting residents involved, and staying on schedule. But its a blast.
The residents enjoy getting to help cook and really enjoy eating the
end product!
Every day except Wednesday is normal lunch. This means most
residents will eat a peanut butter and jelly with the choice from two
sides. On Wednesdays, we have hot lunch. This means we cook the
recipe that the residents have picked out earlier in the week. More
details on all of this to come!

Meal Plan Information

Unlimited food servings SM, A, AP, DS, AM, KF
KW

DS

JF

PA

Clothing protector
5 nuggets on a plate
o Leave next to microwave (she will microwave herself)
o When time is up on microwave, take out, cut each nugget in
half, put catsup on plate and bring to KW seat
o If not nuggets 2 slices of bread with cheese
One yogurt in bowl
One apple sauce in bowl
Banana cut up in bowl

2 Flat circle bread with melted cheese sandwiches

o One slice of cheese on each
o He will make himself
Nutrigrain bar
Prompt him to eat sitting down with his feet facing the right way

2 flat circle bread with melted cheese sandwiches (tacos)

Oatmeal with one sugar

Plate guard
Clothing protector
Salad in bowl

CM

AP

PB

Weights for wrists

Two handle cup for milk/juice
All food must be dime-sized
All food must be dime-sized

Modifications
In my exploration of how best to cook with individuals with
developmental disabilities, two ideas kept coming up. One, color coding and
labeling the kitchen. This aids in cooking independence by letting the
residents find their own measuring utensils. Two, visual recipes. These

recipes include simple directions and many pictures to help the individual
be more independent in cooking. More on both of these areas is below!

Color Coding
The color coding system is based on the Look n Cook books. It is as
follow:
Cup
Measurement
1 cup
cup
1/3 cup
cup

Spoon
Measurement
1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon
teaspoon
teaspoon

Symbol

Recipes
Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipe
Ingredients

+Two slices of bread

peanut butter

Supplies

+Two jelly packets

+Spoonful of

+Butter knife

+Spoon

+Plate

Instructions

1.

Spread a spoonful of peanut button on one slice of bread. Make it

even throughout the piece.

2.
Spread two packets of jelly on the other slice of bread. Mate it even
throughout the piece.

3.
Put one slice of bread on the other.

4.
Cut in half and put in Tupperware.

Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients

+Round bread

+Two slices of cheese

Supplies

+Plate
Instructions

+Microwave

1.

Separate two halves of round bread.

2.
Place one slice of cheese on each half.

3.
Microwave for 45 seconds.

4.
Let stand 1 minute. Serve and enjoy!

Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

+3 cans of tuna (drained) +3 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup

+2 milk cartons

+Bag of frozen peas and carrots

breadcrumbs

+2 cups eggs noodles (cooked and drained)

packets butter (melted)

+2 tablespoons

+2

Supplies

+Large Mixing Bowl

Mixing Bowl

+Over Mitts

+Casserole dish

+Oven

+Small

+Large spoon

Instructions

1.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1.
Put soup, tuna, peas, carrots, and noodles into large bowl.

2.

Mix well. About 30 stirs.

3.
Put mixture in 1.5 quart casserole dish.

4.
With oven mitts on, put in pre-heated oven.

Set timer for 20 minutes.

5.
Put butter in microwave for 25 seconds.

6.
Mix butter with breadcrumbs.

7.
When oven time goes off, using oven mitts, remove casserole from
oven. Stir casserole.
8. Evenly sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.

9.
Put casserole back into the oven.

10.
Set timer for 5 minutes.

11.
When time goes off, using oven mitts, remove casserole.

12.
Let stand for 5 minutes. Then, serve and enjoy!