Happy Place is thrilled to continue to offer a series-based cooking program for adults with disabilities, designed to build practical meal preparation and independent living skills in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment. Using an accessible curriculum featuring visual recipes, adaptive kitchen tools, and individualized instruction, participants learn at their own pace while building confidence and skills they can use in the kitchen and at home. Each small-group class is intentionally designed with accessibility at the forefront, giving every participant the opportunity to actively participate, practice new skills, and experience success.

This program is open to adults with disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as individuals who benefit from additional support. We work alongside families, caregivers, and community organizations to help meet the unique needs of our participants and create meaningful opportunities for greater independence.

Registration for our Fall session is now open, and spots are currently available. Class sizes are intentionally kept small to allow for individualized support and a positive learning experience. Sign up is through our registration platform, Sawyer, which you can find on the listings below.

Interested in enrolling a loved one, volunteering, or bringing this programming to your day program or organization? We would love to connect! Please email hello@happyplacecookingspace.org with questions or to learn more.

2026-2027 Community & Support Class Schedule

Each class meets for 90 minutes. Participants attend the same class each week. If you need to miss a class, you're welcome to make it up during the other Community & Support session, as space allows.

Community & Support Class is offered:

• Mondays: 9:30am - 11:00am

• Fridays: 9:30am - 11:00am

We follow a school year calendar and meet the following dates for the 2026-2027 School Year:

• Fall 2026: 10-week class series runs from the week of September 13 through week of November 29, 2026. Please note that Happy Place will be closed for two scheduled breaks during the semester, and no classes will be held during the week of October 25 or the week of November 29.

• Winter 2027: 10-week class series runs from the week of January 10 through week of March 14, 2027.

• Spring 2027: 8-week class series runs from the week of March 28 through week of May 16, 2027.

Participants are encouraged to enroll in the full series to experience the greatest growth and skill development, though drop-in registration is also available if space allows. Families are welcome to register for one, two, or all three series, and there is no requirement to complete an earlier session before joining a later one.

What Will You Learn?

Our classes focus on building confidence and independence in the kitchen through hands-on cooking experiences, repetition, visual recipes, and a variety of accessible kitchen tools and adaptive techniques. Our goal is for every participant to experience the joy of discovering new foods, cooking alongside others, and developing lifelong skills in a welcoming and supportive environment. Participants also build friendships, practice teamwork, and gain confidence through meaningful social connections in an inclusive community.

Costs

This program is primarily funded by a grant through Bader Philanthropies. Their generosity allows us to host this program for $5/class for the participant. For the Fall 2026 series, the total cost to participants for all ten weeks is $50.

All are welcome!

Community & Support is open to students of all abilities. We are a provider through the Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program. We are currently in the process of becoming a provider through IRIS. Please reach out to us at hello@happyplacecookingspace to learn how to apply these benefits to our program.