While Thanksgiving 2020 looks different in so many ways, we at Disability Advocates remain steadfast in our gratitude for your support. Thanks to your help, we have been able to continue to work alongside persons with disabilities throughout our community.
Our Pre-Employment Transition team has been no exception. They continue to work with high school and college-aged students who are looking to move ahead in their own lives. Remember how challenging high school was at times? Imagine adding to the usual peer pressure and various other challenges, difficulty learning in a traditional way, and an unstable home environment. It’s easy to imagine how one might fall through the cracks…(or worse).
Instead, meet Kanisha. She is now 23 years old and employed full time at Spectrum Health. Kanisha plans to take advantage of the tuition assistance recently offered to essential workers to attend school to become a certified medical biller. She believes this is all possible because of the help she received from Disability Advocates of Kent County. “I don’t know where I would be without you.”
Chloe, one of Disability Advocates’ Independent Living Specialists, met Kanisha while she was in high school. Kanisha was maintaining a 4.0 GPA in school and working, but it was a struggle. She wanted to move out on her own but didn’t know how.
Disability Advocates helps people with disabilities manage the logistics of everyday life, and that is what Kanisha needed. Chloe was able to connect Kanisha with resources to obtain housing, furniture, and other housing necessities. Through the years, Kanisha has worked with our staff on budgeting, understanding her Social Security benefits, and job preparation including resume writing and interviewing skills.
As Kanisha says, “You provided me with what I needed to be an adult.”
Today, Kanisha enjoys her job and her family. She is back living at home helping to take care of her mother as she goes through serious health issues, and the rest of the family. In her free time, she likes to give back by feeding folks experiencing homelessness. Quite a special young woman!
It is such a joy to be able to work with motivated young adults like Kanisha and watch their progress. We look forward to seeing what you do next, Kanisha! To learn more about Disability Advocates programs and services click here.
