Every Thursday night of the school year, the Disability Activity Program — Orem Central brings joy and connection to participants with special needs. Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this particular program is facilitated by 12 stakes in the Orem area.
The Disability Activity Program is a supplement to members living in any given area. The Church’s website states that these types of activities are made to serve individuals 18 years or older, as those under 18 should be integrated into their respective wards and stakes.
These activities bring together local leaders, youth and members with special needs to all take part in weekly activities ranging from movie nights and snowball fights to singing performances and magician entertainers.
Although each DAP program is run differently, at Orem Central each participant brings a buddy to the event, often a youth leader called by the stake, to foster friendship in the Church.
Designed to follow the school calendar, the program pauses during school breaks, providing consistency and structure for attendees. The most recent activity took place on Dec. 12, with the last event of the year scheduled for Dec. 19, with leaders planning to resume activities in January.
Myrtes Henriquez, one of the program’s coordinators said that this calling has meant so much to her.
“Yeah, it’s a lot of work, but we have plenty of help,” Henriquez said. “The stakes — I feel they give the best of the best to be stake leaders for the DAP program.”
Her husband, Ozzy Henriquez, who also helps run the program, said his favorite part about serving is meeting so many amazing individuals. “I would say my favorite part about serving, and that is that you get to associate with some of the purest people in this earth. It’s amazing. Yeah, you can feel the Holy Ghost a lot stronger than anywhere else.”
For many of these participants, the program is an opportunity to connect with others and have fun.
“I really like coming. It’s really fun,” Emmanuel Gualotuma said, a regular attendee.
Volunteers from the participating stakes play a key role in ensuring that each activity runs smoothly and creates lasting memories. Bishops and youth from these stakes will often bring planned activities to help those in the program.
The Church also said these activities should help individuals with disabilities connect with others with similar life experiences and enhance their support system.
The Life Help section on the Church’s website says, “Activities should focus on helping the individuals with disabilities and their families feel loved and supported in their efforts to come unto Christ and stay on the covenant path.”
Ozzy and Myrtes Henriquez said that they have been serving in this calling for almost three years, although the typical length for this calling is only two years.
“Change is hard,” Myrtes Henriquez said. “This peculiar group of people needs consistency.”
And while their calling is almost finished, Ozzy Henriquez said he has enjoyed every minute of it.
“The opportunity that we have to be associated with them is priceless,” Ozzy Henriquez said.
Check with your Stake Leaders for DAP or SNAP programs in your area. For more information about the program or how to volunteer, visit the program’s Facebook page here.