HOUSTON, Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly a third of students with disabilities do not graduate from high school. A truly staggering number when you consider that over 3 million children have a disability according to the recent census. But with the right resources, a diagnosis is no longer sealing children’s futures, just ask Allan Brizuela, a client turned invaluable team member at Easter Seals Greater Houston (ESGH).

In 2015, Allan began participating in Easter Seals Greater Houston’s High School High Tech (HSHT) and Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP). These programs offer learning experiences to students with disabilities that encourage career exploration and broaden educational horizons. Typically, only 70.6% of students with disabilities graduate from high school, but when enrolled in our HSHT that success rate jumps to 99%. HSHT and RAMP students develop social skills, self-confidence, and work readiness skills through resume training, mentorship, mock interviews, and internships. Over the years, Allan also traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in RAMP Conferences and participated in the Youth Employment Policy Convening, helping to create a youth employment policy framework.

After graduating, Allan began volunteering as a Junior Mentor at his alma mater where he helped guide students through the RAMP program. He was also very interested in gaining work experience and was hired for a summer internship in the nonprofit’s Human Resources Department. Allan put his RAMP and HSHT skills to work and proved to be an excellent intern. Everyone, especially his former RAMP Coordinator, was so excited and proud when he accepted a permanent position and officially joined the ESGH team as part of the Respite Program.

This year, with training and support from Allan, his fellow mentors, and HSHT/RAMP staff, 14 students with all types of disabilities were interviewed and hired as interns. These young adults gained crucial work experience at Catholic Charities, Clear Creek ISD Technology Learning Center, CVS, Distinct Abilities Academy, Happy Faces Pet Ranch, Meals on Wheels Conroe, and Red Oak Café. The businesses that hosted the interns gave them an opportunity to test and grow their skills. In return, they got 14 incredibly hard workers who just needed a chance to prove themselves. At the Internship Celebration Luncheon, one manager said he learned about himself as a supervisor and his preconceived ideas about people with disabilities, and said the experience “gave him tools for his toolbox.” Another manager talked about how her intern “came to work early every day with a smile on her face; no job was too big or too small – what a great example she was to everyone.”

These interns’ lives are forever changed. ESGH’s crucial programs for teens and young adults are keeping them in school, showing them a path to independence, and building their confidence and skillset so they can reach the height of their potential. HSHT and RAMP also create an environment for business leaders to see the potential of inclusive hiring. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Take a moment to consider how your workplace could mutually benefit from diversifying your hiring practices. Please contact our HSHT and RAMP Director, Kristie Carlisle, at [email protected] or 713.838.9050 ext. 363 to learn more about hiring and internship opportunities. Together, we can empower people with disabilities to be full and equal participants in the workforce.

About Easter Seals Greater Houston
As a lead affiliate in our national network of 69 affiliates in 48 states, Easter Seals Greater Houston impacts people where they need us most — school, work, home, and in the community — from the critical first five years of life onward. Each year we directly serve over 14,500 people, providing early childhood and therapy services, mental health, employment programs, adult day programs, Military and Veterans’ services, and more. 

For children and adults with disabilities, for veterans and service members, for seniors, and for families and caregivers through Harris and 16 surrounding counties, ESGH is leading the way to full equity and inclusion through life changing disability and community services. With the help of our community, we are reducing poverty and addressing financial stability; improving healthcare and employment, and empowering people of all ages and abilities to be full and equal participants in our community. ESGH operates: Early Childhood Intervention; Respite Services; Toy/Tech & Play Groups, BridgingApps© (bridgingapps.org); High School/High Tech; Financial Education and Down Payment Assistance; Children’s Therapy Services; The Caroline School, Camps, Case Management, Employment/Transition Services; Adult Recreation, and Military/Veterans Services. For more information about ESGH, visit www.eastersealshouston.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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SOURCE Easter Seals Greater Houston

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SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 27, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Town & Country Life Plan Community celebrated the two-year anniversary of Grace Gardens Memory Care with a Dedication Ceremony on September 16. Dr. John Stumbo, the president of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, presided over the dedication, which was attended by city officials, business partners, residents, and their families.

Photo Caption: Resident Edith Hansen, Dr. John Stumbo, Joanna Stumbo and resident Rhea Zakich at the Grace Gardens Dedication Ceremony.

“Grace Gardens Memory Care is a ministry that we are dedicating to God—we are setting it aside for Him and His purposes,” said Dr. Stumbo. “Grace Gardens Memory Care is a community whose sole purpose is to care for those who cannot care for themselves.”

“Our community was honored with the dedication, and we would like to thank Dr. John Stumbo and The Christian and Missionary Alliance, who have provided invaluable support over the years,” said Town & Country CEO Rob Goerzen. “Town & Country offers a caring Christian environment designed to meet each resident’s physical, social and spiritual needs at all care levels. We are proud to celebrate Grace Gardens and have it recognized as a leading memory care community in Orange County.”

Grace Gardens opened in 2021 on the Town & Country campus and offers residency for approximately 70 residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia in four distinct neighborhoods. The beautiful and innovative community provides ample access to the outdoors with natural surroundings, sunlight, and plenty of secure, open space to move around to promote physical, mental and social health.

Additional amenities include a bistro, a sun deck terrace, quiet rooms, a beauty salon, activity rooms, lounges and a media room. Families and residents can also have meals onsite at Rob’s Garden Cafe. Grace Gardens offers 24×7 nursing staff and concierge doctor’s office, medical appointment transportation and chef-crafted meals. Therapies include art, music, exercise and horticulture.

Town & Country offers a continuum of care that also includes independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing. The Medicare rated, 5-star skilled nursing center is convenient for all residents and is especially helpful should the need arise for memory care residents.

Couples who have different care needs live on our campus. Most couples have the option to continue to live together, while others may choose to live in different areas of the community knowing that they can easily visit each other and spend quality time together each day.

Town & Country is a non-profit organization, which means they put money back into the community. A non-profit organization is different than a for-profit community that needs to pay back investors.

Town & Country is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian retirement community in the heart of Orange County. Built in 1975, Town & Country was brought to life with the vision of showing God’s love through the caring and serving of their residents. The 8-acre campus is full of outdoor courtyards, gardens and fountains with every residential apartment having a private patio. Town & Country offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab care.

For more information, visit: https://www.tcmanor.com/

TAGS: #MemoryCare #SeniorLiving #GraceGardens #TownAndCountry

News Source: Town and Country Life Plan Community