Adult Program
Happy Days
Participants, ages 18 to 65, express themselves and embrace their individuality while growing numerous independent living skills and learning together. Offered on week days throughout the year, Happy Days is providing lasting and positive social connections to adults with special needs while they enjoy enriching activities including music therapy, visual arts, field trips and other positive, social interactions that foster independence and nurture creative energies.
Find a Large Group of Friends
Each session of programming is tailored to suit the needs of our participants while maintaining an inclusive atmosphere that invites our adults with special needs to experience the freedom of an independent life.
Ignoring stereotypes, and accepting each other just the way we are!
Our comprehensive, year-round activities improve the quality of life for adults with a variety of disabilities and diagnoses such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment and others. The long-term vision of Merrimack remains focused on granting people with special needs typical social interactions and opportunities to participate in the visual and performing arts.
Music
Music creates a unique and powerful connection between our participants and builds communication, motor and social skills for all of our participants.
Dance
Movement through dance expresses emotions in a remarkable way, while simultaneously improving confidence & self-esteem in a non-judgemental setting.
Theater
Rehearsing lines and acts enhance cognitive and communication skills while allowing individuals the opportunity to shine on stage in front of a live audience!
Art
Art is inspiring and affords a space for independent and creative expression. It brings joy to individuals and has multiple benefits for those with visual impairments.
nor·mal
1. conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
2. everybody is more alike than we are different.
At Merrimack, we firmly believe that every one of us has special needs. Some have special needs on the outside readily visible; some have special needs on the inside. Everyone has the need to feel loved. Everyone has the need to feel accepted.
Please join our efforts to make Huntsville & Madison County the gold-standard for diversity and inclusion by becoming a volunteer, donating or spreading awareness on behalf of our mission.
Joining the Happy Days Program
Happy Days is offered daily, throughout the week. Merrimack’s main goal is to offer year-round meaningful and substantive activities to adults with special needs in an inclusive environment.
Happy Days helps your adult with special needs rise to life’s everyday challenges. Our activities build self-confidence, independence, and develop creative thinking skills to solve life’s simple and complex tasks. Each day of programming is tailored to suit the needs of our participants while maintaining an inclusive atmosphere that invites our adults with special needs to experience the freedom of an independent life.
A few pointers to assist you in your decision:
- Must be over 18 years of age and/or finished with formal education
- Must require no attendant care, including feeding, restroom needs and hygiene
- Must be interested in the arts and willing to participate in all Happy Days activities
- Must have an acceptable level of social functioning
- Admission interview is required
Explore our other programs
Arts Education
Offered on week day afternoons, our visual and performing arts programming for those aged 3 or older enhance the quality of life for our participants who would otherwise not have access to the arts. Curriculums, created to meet our participants at their point of need, generate priceless amounts of self-confidence and cultivate creative independence.
Summer Camps
Join us during the month of June for our half-day performing arts camp for those with special needs, aged 3 or older. Energetic campers will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities including music, theatre, dance, and arts & crafts. Each week of camp has a unique theme, culminating in a performance to showcase the skills learned during camp.
