Challenge Center

The Residential Services Program at the Challenge Center is designed to provide each person with the level of support needed to enjoy safe and successful community living. A total of 9 residences, with private rooms for all residents served, are located in neighborhoods throughout the city of Superior, WI. Each residence is designed to provide a level of care that meets the needs of the individuals in the home. Six of the homes are Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF's) providing for intensive and/or continuous support needs. The program also oversees two Adult Family Homes and one apartment home. A total of 20,075 days of support were provided in 2022. Staff encourages and assists residents to greater community involvement providing support and transportation when needed for individuals to take part in a wide variety of community activities. The Residential Services Program also provides for Independent Living Skills supports and Supported Home Care services to individuals residing in their own homes or with family members. In 2022 these 1:1 support service were provided to 12 individuals living in Superior/Douglas County.

Enterprises were specifically created to support individuals with hands-on work opportunities at a pace and expectation level to meet the individual's current capabilities. This program allows individuals a safe environment in which to test community workplace readiness and interest in either a prevocational sheltered workplace or in the community. These vocational services include job development and preparedness, job shadowing and coaching, task analysis, transportation supports, career profile services and transition to long term employment. Our Community Employment Program provided support for 10 individuals in 9 different community businesses in 2022. Of the 10 individuals served, 1 was new to the program in 2022. Within Bay Produce and Marathon Enterprises 46 participants pursued their individual prevocational goals toward future employment while earning $150,726.59 in wages in 2022. Bay Produce consists of 1.5 acres of greenhouse space, producing several different types of tomatoes, peppers, herbs and eggplants. Marathon Enterprises operates a fulltime confidential shredding service with the ability to take on long or short-term work on a contractual basis with local businesses.

The Adult Day Program provides a wide variety of learning and recreational opportunities to people with varied capabilities. Adult Day Programs offer scheduling choices for activities both community wide and facility based within four program areas. The Life Enrichment Program schedules community opportunities that generally appeal to older participants. This program utilizes many local resources such as restaurants, museums, parks and other points of interest. The Life Enrichment Program served 14 individuals in 2022 providing 15,300 hours of service. The Life Skills Program adds volunteering opportunities, caring for a local park and a variety of other community organizations. The schedule also includes regular recreational activities, emphasizing physical activities such as local trail systems, swimming, bowling, and other seasonal activities. Life Skills served 26 individuals in 2022 providing 26,763 hours of service. The Sensory Program is focused on helping individuals with severe to profound physical challenges to maintain their activities of daily living. The Sensory Program served 12 individuals in 2022 providing 12,426 hours of service. It is common for individuals to spend a portion of each week in different programs to pursue personal interests.