Avenue is Fighting Chance’s alternative to traditional disability day programs, born in response to a gap in the options available to people with disability after school.
Our founding family, Laura and Jordan O’Reilly, witnessed this gap first-hand when their brother Shane, who lived with profound Cerebral Palsy, finished school only to find that his post-school options were limited and unfulfilling.
The transition from school can feel like a cliff
Like many families navigating the transition from school, Shane’s family found it difficult to find opportunities that aligned with his aspirations.
“When Shane finished school he wanted to work, move out of home and participate socially. Instead, he was essentially being told by society: ‘Sorry, no, that’s not available to you.’ It was like going off a cliff,” said Fighting Chance founder Laura O’Reilly.
“I remember walking into his day program for the first time and finding Shane sitting there staring into the middle distance. This was someone who loved technology, wanted to work and had so much entrepreneurial spirit and so much to give. That was the moment of realisation that if we didn’t do something, this was going to be his future.”
That experience ultimately led to the creation of Avenue.
Why purpose matters
Laura knew her brother had so much more to contribute to the world, and that he would never fully thrive without the opportunity to do so, because purpose matters.
We all want to feel that our days have meaning, that we’re contributing something of value, and that we’re connected to the people and communities around us. It’s not enough to simply fill time. Having a sense of purpose helps us build confidence, form relationships and feel good about who we are and what we bring to the world.
Shane’s experience reflects something that research has consistently shown: meaning and purpose play a critical role in wellbeing. A global study of more than 200,000 people across 23 countries found that meaning and purpose were associated with positive outcomes across 52 of 56 measures of wellbeing, including happiness, relationships, mental health and life satisfaction.
A different approach to day programs
The problem with ‘keeping people busy’ isn’t the activities themselves. Fun, friendship and enjoyment are all important parts of a meaningful life. The problem is when people aren’t given opportunities to continue learning, growing and working towards goals that matter to them.
Like everyone else, people living with disability benefit from being challenged, trying new things and contributing in meaningful ways. Whether it’s learning to catch public transport independently, building workplace skills, contributing to a team or developing greater confidence in social settings, growth happens when people are given opportunities to participate, not just attend.
Avenue was built on this premise: that people with disability should have the same opportunities as anyone else to grow, contribute, develop skills and pursue a meaningful adult life. Through our work and social programs, Avenue supports people to live fulfilling lives, filled with choice and possibility.
We exist so that connection and purpose can continue to exist in people’s lives after school and well into adulthood, just like our participants Chloe, Timothy and Rachelle have experienced.
Learn more about our work and social programs by visiting avenuecoworking.org.au/