What makes a day meaningful?

For Morgan Nickoles, Meaningful Day Director for Target Community & Educational Services in Carroll County, it starts with giving adults with disabilities real choices, opportunities to learn and ways to participate fully in their community.

In this episode of the On Target Podcast, Morgan shares how the Target–McDaniel Graduate Program introduced her to Target Community and helped launch a career that has now spanned 13 years.

Morgan explains what happens inside Target Community’s Meaningful Day Program. Participants choose classes based on their interests while building practical skills through activities such as cooking, theater, American Sign Language and reading. Beyond the classroom, they volunteer, work, explore new interests and build relationships throughout Carroll County.

The conversation also examines what genuine inclusion looks like. It is not simply inviting adults with disabilities into community spaces. It means recognizing them as coworkers, volunteers, customers, neighbors and friends. It means focusing on what each person can contribute rather than allowing a diagnosis to define them.

Morgan also reflects on what participants have taught her about gratitude, patience and celebrating achievements that others might overlook. She discusses the importance of community partnerships and how businesses, volunteers and local organizations can help create new opportunities—often by simply being willing to give someone a chance.

This episode is a reminder that meaningful support is not about filling time. It is about helping adults with disabilities pursue their goals, develop their abilities and live full, productive lives.

Learn more about Target Community and ways to get involved at TargetCommunity.org.