At first glance, creating a grocery list might seem like a simple task. For many of us, it’s something we do in a few minutes before heading out the door. But for individuals working toward greater independence, that same task can become an important opportunity to practice planning, decision-making, organization, and self-management.
That is exactly what Community Living Supports (CLS) is all about.
Recently, MRC Industries Community Living Supports Coach, Alicia spent the day with one of her clients, helping her navigate the everyday activities that are building the foundation for a more independent future. The morning started at the client’s home, where they worked together to prepare for the day ahead.
Before leaving the house, there were responsibilities to complete. Making the bed, taking medications, and reviewing a grocery list all helped reinforce daily living skills. While these tasks may seem routine, they represent significant progress for a young woman who, just a few years ago, needed much more support to get through her morning routine.
“One of her areas of growth has been becoming more independent with her chores and daily responsibilities,” Alicia said. “When we first started working together, I often had to wake her up, help her get dressed, and assist her with getting ready for the day. Now she’s about ready to go when I arrive.”
That progress didn’t happen overnight.
Alicia has worked with her client since the summer of 2024, when she became Alicia’s very first CLS client. Together, they’ve focused on building skills that support independence, confidence, and community involvement.
“With CLS, one of the biggest things is doing things at the person’s own pace,” Alicia explained.
That philosophy was evident throughout the day. Creating the grocery list and preparing to leave the house took nearly an hour. Along the way, there were distractions, including a family dog eager for attention. Alicia gently redirected the conversation back to the grocery list and the snacks her client wanted to purchase at Meijer.
Once at the store, the grocery trip became another opportunity to practice important life skills, including budgeting, healthy food choices, and shopping independently. Alicia also helped her client stay focused on conversations and activities by encouraging her to spend less time on her phone during their sessions. Together they established a simple agreement: after three reminders to put the phone away, it gets handed over for the remainder of the activity.
The outing continued with a stop at the pharmacy, where the client independently went inside to pick up her prescriptions. It may seem like a small accomplishment, but moments like these represent meaningful steps toward self-sufficiency.
The day concluded with a visit to the YMCA for swimming, one of many community activities the client now enjoys. As a reward for meeting her goals and staying engaged during sessions, she sometimes earns time in the YMCA hot tub. She also participates in a reward program at home where she earns points for completing activities such as cleaning her room, making healthy choices, and staying physically active. Those points can be exchanged for rewards like gift cards, a manicure, or a trip to Airway Lanes.
But the client’s growth extends far beyond household responsibilities.
In the past, she spent much of her time at home on her computer or phone. Today, she is actively involved in her community through sports and social activities. She participates in basketball, softball, gymnastics, fitness classes, and a local social club. This summer, she plans to take a ceramics class at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
“Getting out of the house has probably been her biggest success,” Alicia said. “She’s become much more comfortable talking to people and socializing.”
That increased confidence is noticeable. She now strikes up conversations with people she meets at the YMCA and regularly participates in activities that connect her with others in the community.
The relationship between Alicia and her client extends beyond skill-building. Through their time together, they’ve discovered shared interests as well. The client introduced Alicia to diamond art, a hobby she enjoyed so much that she now does it in her own spare time.
When asked what she enjoys most about working with Alicia, the client answered simply: “She’s funny.”
She also credits Alicia with teaching her important skills, including shopping and even how to make lasagna.
Like many individuals receiving CLS services, the client continues to work toward new goals. Her next major milestone is moving out of her mother’s home and gaining even greater independence. Through ongoing support, skill development, and community engagement, she is steadily building the tools needed to make that goal a reality.
At MRC Industries, Community Living Supports focuses on the whole person. Our services help individuals develop practical life skills while increasing independence, self-sufficiency, and meaningful participation in their communities. From meal preparation and medication management to social skills, money management, transportation, and community engagement, every support plan is tailored to the individual’s unique goals and needs.
Stories like Alicia’s client remind us that independence is often built through small, consistent steps. A grocery list. A trip to the pharmacy. A conversation with a stranger at the YMCA.
Taken together, those moments create something much bigger: the confidence and skills needed to live a more independent and fulfilling life.