Our Mission
We encourage adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities to realize their potential as individuals.. to grow.. to change.. and to experience a life with a full range of opportunities. Vacations and travel experiences are one component of that spectrum.
People and Places strives to recognize each individual’s rights, talents, and abilities as they engage in special interests, new experiences, and make new friends in the amazing world of travel. It is through these travel experiences that people with disabilities touch the lives of those they meet along the way, enhancing the inclusion of people with special needs throughout the world.
We are a not-for-profit, 501(c) 3 organization providing small group opportunities for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities since 1975. On each trip eight vacationers travel the world along with two People and Places escorts.
Our Vacationers…
Are adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and have special needs. They enjoy traveling in a small, supervised group for fun and friendship. Also they embrace the opportunity for personal choices and flexibility available in traveling and exploring in a small group of eight vacationers with two staff escorts.
Every photo tells a story. View photos sent to us by our vacationers and escorts!
Frequently Asked Questions…
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. There you will find answers to your questions about:
What do we offer, Who travels with us, Supervision, Trip costs, the application process and more…
If you have a question that isn’t answered there, please contact us.
Get To Know Our Friendly Staff
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the Heart”
Patty Brown Schieder
Our Director
“Attitude is Everything”.
In managing People and Places is Patty Brown Schieder, joining us first as a volunteer tour escort for many years, and then as Assistant Director and Vice President.
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Michele Venezia
Our Assistant Director
“You’re right where you’re supposed to be and you’re right on time”.
Additionally, in partnership in managing People and Places, is Michele Venezia. You will find her organizational and creative talents expressed in all aspects of program management.
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Joanne Haberer
Our Program Specialist
“All you need to know is that it’s possible”.
She is the friendly voice you hear when coordinating air arrangements, proper airline and cruise identification, and anything related to managing travel with our travel agent!
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Lisa Freitag
Our Office Manager
“Be the best YOU can be”.
Also supporting our vacation services and managing the vast array of paperwork, is our office manager, Lisa Freitag. Lisa answers your phone calls, sends your Acceptance Package and manages all of your account information!
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Vacation Escorts
“Be the change you want to see in the world”. Gandi
You will find that our passion and caring for persons with developmental disabilities and the world around us is shared by our many volunteer tour escorts. We are deeply grateful for their generous spirit, their professional and personal commitment, and their invaluable contributions in providing outstanding vacation experiences for each traveler.
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A Message From Our Founder
Joie Budington
Dear Friends, We want to thank you for your interest in exploring vacation opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities! Yes, the wonders of travel excite, inspire, educate, amuse, and refresh us. Rich in diversity, it takes us beyond our immediate reality and shows us new ways of seeing both the world around us and ourselves.
