Easterseals Crossroads - Non-Profit Spotlight

By: Katie Harris

Our purpose is to change the way the world defines and views disability by making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day.

Tell us more about your organization:

Easterseals Crossroads is your community resource dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve milestones in independence from birth through later life. One of over 70 Easterseals affiliates throughout the country, we are a United Way agency offering CARF accredited programs in Indiana. We have been a leading resource for people with disabilities since 1936.

For young families, we are there at the beginning with early intervention therapy for babies/toddlers and therapy services for children. We grow with your family with autism services, camp and respite programs. As your family ages, we assist with transition services, employment assistance, veteran programs and community day supports. As your family changes, we provide answers for independence through assistive technology, deaf services and home modification services.

How does your organization support those in the special needs community?

For 85 years, Easterseals Crossroads has been actively engaged in helping individuals with disabilities achieve their greatest levels of independence. We help make positive outcomes for the many people who use our services. This past year, we served almost 9,000 individuals with disabilities or special needs.

How can others get involved or support your organization?

At Easterseals Crossroads, we know the importance of teamwork, especially when it comes to tough times. This past year has challenged our agency, our community and our world with the COVID pandemic. The obstacles have been immense for everyone within our community; we have felt the struggles within our own Easterseals Crossroads family.

We know – now more than ever – that we are stronger together. In addition to our staff, we cannot thrive without our partners, sponsors, advocates, volunteers, supporters and donors. We cannot do what we do without support from people who know that teamwork is what enables Easterseals Crossroads to do what it does best.

Our community needs us to continue to be the resource that children and adults with disabilities depend upon. Our reach extends to 88,000 people who benefit from our services as they live, learn, work and play – people who need our services to maintain independence and thrive.

Now more than ever, supporting services at Easterseals Crossroads allows us to remain the resource you may need on a future day. If you donate from now through December 31, your gift will be matched due to the generosity of our sponsor Redux.

What difficulties and or challenges do you help families and or Individuals with special needs overcome?

Many of the individuals whom we serve have no other means of accessing assistance; their needs would go unmet without our services.

People like Jack, a 19-year-old young man who is figuring out his future. In Jack’s early school years, professionals arrived at an autism diagnosis. He has made great strides in communication and socialization since working with our behavioral therapists. Jack has recently completed high school and he is working with our employment staff to discover potential opportunities for his future.

Children like Ryder, a 10-year-old boy who works with our physical, occupational and speech therapists. Ryder was diagnosed with Fraser syndrome and his everyday life has included ventilators, oxygen tanks and breathing machines. He is now experiencing the freedom of being off his vent and he is learning to use his left hand to grab things and stand independently.

People like Rachel, an individual who was diagnosed with her disability as a child after recovering from meningitis. Rachel and her sister wanted to find a day program where Rachel could learn, have fun and gain independence. They have found the perfect environment in our adult day program at Easterseals Crossroads where Rachel has gained confidence as well as independence in her daily living skills.

Anything else you would like to include?

Easterseals Crossroads is the community resource any one of us could need at any point in our lives. Community support is vital to our existence because we depend on philanthropy for 25 percent of our operating budget. Your donation supports individuals in our community who depend upon our services to live, learn, work and play – people who do not need our services until they do.

Main Address: 4740 Kingsway Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46205 Phone: 317.466.1000 Website: eastersealscrossroads.org

Facebook: facebook.com/ eastersealscrossroads

Twitter: twitter.com/escrossroads

Instagram: instagram.com/ eastersealscrossroads

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ easter-seals-crossroads

Relevant Leader: David Dreith, President/CEO, 317.466.1000, ddreith@eastersealscrossroads.org

Do you run a non-profit?

Would you like to be a part of the non-profit spotlight or nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com December 2020 • Special Needs Living