BEACON Day Services

A peek into the classes and excursions we offer for individuals with disabilities

Beacon offers the following life skills instruction and excursions for individuals with disabilities in the Central Coast.

Contact for Services

Life Classes

Life & Independence Skills

Focus on confidence, communication, and daily living.

  • American Sign Language is a visual language using hand shapes and movements instead of sound. This class focuses on non-conversational vocabulary such as colors, objects, greetings, and feelings.

  • Here you will learn just about everything you may need to know about staying safe in your environment. Whether in the community, kitchen, beach, or online, learn to spot hazards, call 911, use a fire extinguisher, and understand first responders. Practical skills, discussions, and video instruction help build everyday safety awareness.

  • Learn how to build and maintain friendships while strengthening communication skills, setting boundaries, and sharing what matters most to you.

  • Develop independence through hygiene, household tasks, time management, self-advocacy, boundaries, and coping skills.

  • Learn to speak up, make choices, ask for help, and understand basic rights while building confidence in daily life.

  • Learn simple relaxation techniques including breathing, mindfulness, calming sounds, and gentle stretching to manage stress and anxiety.

  • Create a personal scrapbook exploring favorites, routines, strengths, and experiences while building confidence and self-expression.

  • Use Disney stories to explore feelings, friendships, choices, and problem-solving through video clips and activities.

Discovery & Learning

Educational and exploration-based classes.

  • Explore creativity through painting, sculpting, seasonal projects, and virtual visits to museums and artists around the world. Relax and have fun while expressing your artistic side.

  • Express creativity through free drawing without guidelines while enjoying relaxation and personal expression.

  • Learn painting techniques and create artwork using canvas, wood, rocks, and more while exploring famous artists.

  • Build confidence through improv, role play, charades, and learning stage production basics.

  • Learn camera basics and creative composition while capturing meaningful images.

  • Build confidence through singing, themed music weeks, and expressive performance fun.

  • Explore rhythm, instruments, and musical styles while learning how music influences mood and culture.

  • Enjoy a fun Friday workout through music and movement while improving fitness and confidence.

Cooking & Daily Living

Hands-on food preparation and practical kitchen skills.

  • Explore careers through demonstrations, guest speakers, mock interviews, and job skills while following along with Dirty Jobs for a fun look at unique occupations.

  • Learn basic computer skills including logging in, typing, internet safety, mouse skills, and navigating online.

  • Learn event planning skills while preparing decorations, games, and celebrations for VTC events.

  • Develop confidence by interviewing, reporting events, and contributing to the BEACON newsletter.

Arts, Music, & Creativity

Creative expression and performing arts.

  • Amazing Animals is a fun, engaging class where participants learn about many different animals from around the world. Each week, participants explore a new animal through short videos, group discussion, and a simple hands-on activity. The class focuses on observation, communication, choice-making, and personal preferences. Participation is flexible and supportive, and may include watching, listening, answering yes/no questions, pointing, or sitting quietly. All levels of participation are encouraged and respected in a relaxed, positive environment.

  • Travel virtually to exciting global destinations through tours, cultural experiences, and historical sites.

  • Discover planets, astronauts, launches, and space phenomena while learning about our universe.

Health, Wellness & Recreation

Movement, fitness, sensory engagement, and social recreation.

  • Build kitchen skills through hands-on meal preparation, recipe reading, grocery planning, and safe food handling.

  • Follow seasonal recipes to create delicious treats while learning measuring, kitchen safety, food handling, and utensil identification.

Career & Technology

Employment readiness, communication, and digital literacy.

  • Chair-based exercise to improve strength, flexibility, coordination, stamina, and overall well-being.

  • Engage in therapeutic sensory stations to support movement, motor skills, range of motion, and sensory exploration.

  • Enjoy board games, trivia, and group activities that promote social skills, encouragement, and good sportsmanship.

  • Improve strength, stamina, balance, and healthy living through engaging exercise and wellness education.

  • Practice safe stretching, breathing, and relaxation techniques to reduce stress and promote calm.

  • Build communication skills, number recognition, patience, and sportsmanship while enjoying the excitement of calling BINGO!

  • Learn gardening skills including planting, transplanting, harvesting, and seasonal care.

Excursions

Community Exploration & Life Skills

Excursions focused on independence, budgeting, transportation, and community access.

  • Plan, budget, and shop for personal items while learning to compare prices and find sales. Explore thrift stores and discover hidden bargains in your community.

    Anticipated spending: $15 per week.

  • Enjoy coffee at a new local coffee shop each week while practicing ordering, budgeting, and social interaction. After coffee, the group visits the library to explore books, resources, and community spaces., or chooses to participate in leisure activities.

    Anticipated spending: $12 per week.

  • Explore local businesses, farmers markets, museums, events, historical sites, and community locations while learning how to access community resources and information.

  • This dining curriculum builds real-world independence through weekly lunch outings. Participants practice budgeting, ordering independently, tipping, restaurant etiquette, decision-making, and transportation skills.

    Each week participants bring $20 to practice money management and progressively build independence, including splitting checks and planning meals.

  • Learn to use public transportation to reach lunch destinations, enjoy a meal, and plan the following week’s outing.

    Anticipated spending: $20 per week.

Arts, Culture, & Creativity

Creative and cultural community experiences.

  • This community-based outdoor exploration program introduces murals, sculptures, historic buildings, cultural architecture, and landscape design throughout the Central Coast.

    Excursions include guided observation, pedestrian safety practice, structured discussion, and leadership opportunities that build confidence, environmental awareness, and community pride.

  • Learn to take great photos using a smartphone while capturing community scenes. 

Sports & Recreation

Active and movement-focused excursions.

  • Try a variety of sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, frisbee/disc golf, kickball, and park circuit training. Stay active, build teamwork skills, and try something new. Rainy days include indoor alternatives.

  • Enjoy the fun and excitement of bowling while practicing good sportsmanship and social skills.

    Anticipated spending: $3 per week.

Nature & Outdoor Activities

Outdoor exploration, walking, wildlife, and environmental interaction.

  • Explore local parks, wetlands, beaches, and open spaces while discovering the diverse bird species of the Central Coast. Participants learn basic bird identification, observation skills, and habitat awareness while enjoying peaceful time outdoors. Binoculars will be provided.

    Must be able to walk on uneven surfaces, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water

  • Participate in a real-world scavenger hunt using GPS devices to locate hidden caches. Build navigation skills, teamwork, and outdoor exploration abilities.

  • Explore museums, zoos, gardens, estuaries, farms, and wildlife centers while enjoying fresh air and nature. Participants bring a sack lunch for a group picnic. Must walk on uneven surfaces and bring water.

  • Explore local parks and trails while enjoying nature and improving fitness. Participants must walk on uneven surfaces and bring water.

  • Partner with a shelter dog for a day adventure to reduce kennel stress and increase adoption chances. Participants must love dogs, walk on uneven surfaces, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water.

  • Enjoy relaxing community experiences such as kite flying, library visits, beachcombing, chalk art, bird watching, rock painting, and nature walks while exploring new hobbies.

  • Participate in volunteer opportunities throughout the community while learning job skills and giving back. Participants may be paid while representing VTC.

  • Designed for participants age 50 and older to enjoy community outings and activities at a comfortable pace. 

Volunteering & Social Connection

Excursions centered on community contribution and social engagement.

    • BEACON serves adults with disabilities on California’s Central Coast. In general, participants must be 18 or older and have a medically documented physical, mental, or developmental disability.

    • BEACON offers a variety of services from life goals and planning, transportation planning, behavioral support, parent, family and care provider support, employment access and supports and transition planning.

    • BEACON also offers a variety of employment services from assessing and identifying employment skills, helping minimize employment barriers and assisting clients in finding successful employment in the community.

    • By hiring a person with disabilities and helping them become a working part of the community, by making a donation to BEACON, volunteering your time, or by sharing BEACON’s vision and events with others.

What to know before getting started

Not sure where to start? Read through some of our frequently asked questions (FAQs).