ADEC, Inc.

ADEC provides comprehensive, person-centered support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. Established in 1952 by a group of dedicated parents seeking community-based education for children excluded from local public schools, the agency has spent decades expanding into northern Indiana's leading disability service organization. Guided by core organizational values of dignity, choice, compassionate partnership, and faithful stewardship, ADEC delivers lifelong care and comprehensive support that empowers individuals of all abilities to live, learn, and work in their home communities.

Day services operate out of welcoming community activity centers in Bristol, Elkhart, and Goshen. These hubs provide participants with diverse opportunities to pursue hobbies, strengthen communication skills, use adaptive technologies, and practice health and wellness routines. Certified staff facilitate expressive art and music sessions, community service volunteer projects, and frequent recreational outings to local parks, cultural centers, and shopping venues. Activity spaces include sensory relaxation rooms, teaching kitchens, and computer laboratories where participants explore digital literacy at their own pace. Programs are designed around personal interests, ensuring participants set their own schedules and personal enrichment goals while building confidence and independence.

Residential services offer diverse housing models matched to individual independence levels and personal preferences. Supervised neighborhood group homes provide round-the-clock direct care staffing, nutritious meal preparation, medication oversight, and transportation for residents needing continuous assistance. For individuals seeking greater autonomy, supported living services provide scheduled direct support professionals who assist with household budgeting, grocery shopping, cooking, personal hygiene, and apartment upkeep while fostering full community integration, civic involvement, and neighborly connections.

Workforce development represents a central pillar of the organization's mission. ADEC Employment Services conducts vocational assessments, career exploration, resume writing, and interview practice before placing participants in competitive jobs with partner employers across retail, dining, hospitality, manufacturing, and warehousing sectors. On-site job coaches provide initial workplace training and ongoing follow-along support to ensure lasting success for both worker and employer. Additionally, innovative social enterprises including ADEC Industries and Gaining Grounds Coffee House offer supportive vocational environments where individuals earn competitive paychecks while mastering light assembly, packaging, food preparation, and commercial customer service skills.

Family services deliver essential respite care, seasonal youth day camps, guardianship assistance, and educational workshops to guide parents and caregivers through critical life transitions. Experienced coordinators help families understand the complex requirements of Medicaid waivers, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Bureau of Disabilities Services funding. Support specialists also coordinate peer discussion groups and recreational family gatherings that reduce isolation for family caregivers. Prospective participants and families can reach the intake team by phone or by submitting an online inquiry to begin coordination and program enrollment. Community supporters can get involved by volunteering at day hubs, hiring through employment programs, or making financial donations to sustain vital services.