START Schedule
CDS Fishing & Picnic Day
All individual at all the community day services sites are welcome to patriciate in our annual Fishing Day event at Murphysboro Lake State Park. Fishing supplies are provided!
Juneteenth: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative offices are closed.
CDS Independence Day Party
All community day services locations will have Independence Day activities available for individuals that want to participate.
Independence Day: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative offices are closed.
CDS Race Day
All individuals at our community day services locations will have the opportunity to participate in our Annual Race Day event!
Special Friends Day
An event provided to START participants thanks to the Murphysboro Apple Festival and Luehrs’ Ideal Rides.
Apple Festival Grand Parade
Join us for the Apple Festival Grand Parade! Be sure to watch for the float our CDS individuals created this year!
START Annual Awards
Today we celebrate the achievements of our Community Partners, Board of Directors, Team Members, and our Individuals!
Elk’s Halloween Dance
A free dance for START participants provided by Murphysboro Elks Lodge. This is a costume party, so dress up if you would like to patriciate in the costume contest!
START Trunk-or-Treat
START will be having a Trunk or Treat during the day for individuals that participate in services. Community volunteers are welcome to join us by setting up a trunk!
Veteran's Day: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative offices are closed.
START Thanksgiving Meal
A Thanksgiving Meal will be provided to all individuals served thanks to the generous donations of our community partners!
Thanksgiving Holiday: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative offices are closed.
START Holiday Giving
Please consider including START with your holiday giving. There are several options: Our Holiday Giving Tree for Residential Individuals, our CDS Individual Gift Drive (small gifts to be given to all individuals at our Holiday Party), as well as Monetary/Goods/Service donations that will be used to through our Holiday Party and other special events throughout the year. Please have all donations turned in by 12/14/2026.
START Holiday Party
All individuals served will have a holiday party today that included food, holiday activities, and a visit from Santa!
Holiday Break: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative offices are closed.
Memorial Day: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative offices are closed.
Elk's Luau Dance
A free dance for START participants provided by the Murphysboro Elk’s Lodge.
Staff In Service: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative offices are closed.
All staff are required to attend the In Service training.
START Block Party
We invite the community to join us in our largest fund raising event of the year!
Sponsors and donations appreciated!
CDS Spring Event
All community day services locations will have spring activities available for individuals that want to participate.
Elk's Spring Dance
A free dance for START participants provided by the Murphysboro Elk’s Lodge.
Elk's St. Patty's Dance
A free dance for START participants provided by Murphysboro Elks Lodge.
CDS St. Patty's Party
All community day services locations will have St. Patrick’s Day activities available for individuals that want to participate.
CDS Valentines Party
All community day services locations will have Valentine’s Day activities available for individuals that want to participate.
CDS Closed
Community Day Services will be closed to individuals. START plans to reopen CDS on Monday, February 2, 2026 and will provide transportation to individuals where it is safe to do so. Please assure the individual has a safe path from their home to the vehicle loading area.
CDS Closed
Our Community Day Services will be closed to individuals. The administrative office will be open.
CDS and Administrative Office Closed
Our CDS and Administrative Office will be closed today due to the cold weather and road conditions.
CDS and Administrative Office Closed
Our Community Day Services and Administrative office will be closed today due to the winter storm.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Agency Closed
Community Day Services and Administrative Office are closed.
CDS New Year's Celebration
CDS sites will be having New Year activities throughout the day for all participants.
Holiday Break
Our Community Day Services and Administrative Office will be closed today.
Holiday Party
START will be having a pizza party and dance to celebrate all the winter holidays for all the individuals we serve. Santa will join us as a special guest! Made possible by the generous donations made by our community partners.
START Giving Tree/Gift Drive
Help make this holiday season extra special for our individuals. Stop by the administrative office to get a tag from our Giving Tree to get personalized gift ideas for the individuals that reside in our residential program. You can also bring in hygiene gift sets to the administrative office that will be given to our individuals at the Holiday Party!
Elk's START Christmas Dinner
The Murphysboro Elk’s will be providing a fried chicken dinner for individuals that attend START for a Christmas feast. Santa will be stopping by for a visit!
Thanksgiving Break
Our Community Day Services and Administrative Office will be closed today.
Thanksgiving Meal
START will be proving a Thanksgiving meal to individuals that participate in services thanks to the generous donations made by our community partners!
Veteran's Day
Our Community Day Services and Administrative Office will be closed today.
Trunk or Treat
START will be having a Trunk or Treat during the day for individuals that participate in services. Community volunteers are welcome to join us by setting up a trunk!
Elk's Halloween Dance
Murphysboro Elk’s Lodge 572 will be having a Halloween Dance for the individuals that attend START services.
START Annual Awards
We will be celebrating the accomplishments our our individuals, team members, Board of Directors, and community parterners.
JCHD Shred Day
Jackson County Health Department will be having their fall shredding event. Documents are shredded by individuals that attend START services!
Murphysboro Apple Festival Grand Parade
START plans to participate by having a float again in this years Apple Festival Grant Parade.
DSP Appreciation
START is so fortunate to be an employer of so many dedicated Direct Support Professions. We hope they know how much we appreciate the care they provide our individuals each and every day.
Special Friend Day (Murphysboro Apple Festival)
Murphysboro Apple Festival welcomes the individuals that receive START services for music and rides.