Vision Statement 

We believe in community.

We believe in collaborative community partnerships.

We believe that space/location is the key that opens the door to community.

We believe that the community itself needs a broader perspective regarding disability issues.

We believe in the potential of all people.

We believe that people thought to have disabilities have unrecognized potential.

We believe that Human Services can do more to support people to realize their potential.

We believe that community supports for people thought to have a disability can be improved, upgraded, and developed.

We believe that caregivers can be valued, appreciated, properly trained and paid.

We believe that people thought to have disabilities are not less fortunate, but are people who, with appropriate supports, will contribute to the greater good of the community.

Mission Statement 

Latitude serves all people, with an emphasis on those who are thought to have a disability, by creating a framework which encourages us to recognize our own life's narrative, and to then choose ways in which we may contribute to the well-being of our community. 

LATITUDE PROGRAMS AND COMPONENTS 

Individual Supports (I.S.) are structured to encourage a person to recognize his or her own story and then introduce them to the potential of the entire community. I.S. are given within the structure of a facilitated group as well.

Facilitated Group Workshops (F.G.W.) are designed for groups of up to ten participants. Many of the same supports employed in I. S. are used, however, emphasis is placed on exploring various art media, and community within the framework of a group dynamic. Groups participate weekly in 2, 3, or 4 hour blocks.

Everyday Movement is an important component of all of Latitude's programming. It is a recognition by the participant of his or her normal range of expressive and dynamic movement, after which the participant is supported as he or she expands and enriches range of motion.

      Dynamic Movements are movements which allow us to move with a certain efficiency or economy. These movements allow us to complete tasks such as lifting a glass of water for a drink, or walking from one space to the other.

      Expressive Movements are those flourishes or punctuations of expression intended to expand or add to the dialogue. These movements allow us to add to, or create a nonverbal dialogue. You may smile after drinking a refreshing glass ofwater, or disco the night away in a swanky Paris, France nightclub.

 Community Building is a crucial component of our programming. Latitude supports community interaction on a consistent basis. This includes visiting cultural institutions, music events, libraries, and more. Most important, Latitude looks for opportunities to contribute to the culture of the community i.e. participation in poetry readings, parades, performance, and more; letters to the editor, etc.)

 It is important to Latitude that we establish collaborative partnerships with business' and Human Services Agencies. Some current partnerships include MECCA dance center, Third Street Stuff, Isle of You Boutique, Lexington Children's Museum, Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe, Everyday Matters, Huntington Museum Art, Bluegrass Impact, Theater of PossABILITIES, Brain Injury Trust Fund, and more. 

Latitude creates theme based after school programs which explore different areas of art and community culture (eg. Bluegrass Impact after school program). 

Latitude offers one or two week theme based summer camps. (eg. Lexington Children's Museum, Huntington Museum of Art, and Theater of PossABILITIES.) 

Latitude contributes enriched programming within the framework of pre-existing day programs (i.e. adult day programs, sheltered workshops), such as Everyday Matters in Frankfort. 

Latitude develops new trainings/workshops that encourage community building, positive public relations, positive goal writing, the valuing of people thought to have a disability, and much more. Latitude also searches for ways to enrich the core trainings already available.

Latitude, LLC

Team Experience

Crystal Bader, CTRS, Co-Executor 

Crystal holds a Bachelors of Science in Parks and Recreation Administration and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Her experience includes program coordination and development and documentation of medical and program records, as well as direct-care and Community and Arts Programming. Crystal recently served as the Assistant Director of Minds Wide Open art center in Lexington, Kentucky.

 Bruce Burris, Co-Executor 

Bruce is an acknowledged leader in the field of art, disability and community who, over the last twenty-five years, has contributed as a Program Developer, Facilitator, and Director. Most recently, he served as Director of Minds Wide Open art center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Bruce is also a prominent visual artist, who has exhibited internationally. He is a recent recipient of a Poliack-Krasner Foundation Fellowship, and is represented by the Braunstein/Quay Gallery in San Francisco, California.

Together, Bruce and Crystal created Latitude as a means for providing passionate, inventive, and vigorous community based supports.