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FEBRUARY 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 1
FEBRUARY 2017
HIREABLE
By Fran Miller and Futures Explored
Futures Explored continues to blaze new trails for people with disabilities. In its efforts to continue providing a broad range of resources and ongoing guidance to its participants, the local non-profit recently partnered with two other disability-support organizations (Contra Costa ARC and East Bay Innovations) to create HireAble, a public awareness campaign aiming to increase employment rates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A staggering 9 out of 10 of IDD adults are currently unemployed, despite California’s overall unemployment rate of 6%. Futures Explores hopes that HireAble
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OAKLAND’S LOMBARDY BRANCH By Fran Miller
Two young Children’s Hospital Oakland patients practice their modeling skills at last year’s Lombardy Branch annual fashion show fundraiser.
A Futures Explored client enjoys the opportunity to work in her community
will provide a connection between local companies and people with IDD in an effort to break a cycle of poverty and unemployment. Funded by the Thomas J. Long Foundation, the new campaign will increase awareness of existing job placement programs, says Will Sanford Executive Director of Futures Explored. “Chronic unemployment has a significant effect on the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, and our society as a whole,” says Will Sanford, executive director of Futures Explored. “Our society falls short when it comes to providing employment opportunities for this population. Without jobs, these individuals live in poverty, and their families struggle to help with financial resources. We can and must do better.” HireAble’s community partners will offer employment support programs to both employees and businesses, such as training for employees with IDD to prepare them for the work force, long-term support services for employees with IDD to help ensure they maintain success throughout their career, and pre-screening of candidates from which employers can select which makes it easy and successful for both the employer and employee. The campaign aims to engage a variety of businesses, from the traditional industries in which IDD typically work (food and janitorial services) to hospitals and tech companies.
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For the families who’ve entered its doors seeking treatment for a sick child, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland (CHO) is a Bay Area beacon and a symbol of hope. Ellen and Greg Davis of Lafayette know full well how CHO’s community of compassionate caregivers can make a medical difference; eight years ago, their son was treated successfully at CHO for a cancerous brain tumor. “We know he received the best treatment available,” says Ellen. “Even after getting second and third opinions from UCSF and Stanford, we stayed with CHO.” The Davis’ were so impressed
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BAY AREA GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE
By Fran Miller
No one would deny that German Shepherd puppies are some of the cutest among all dog breeds, making them a popular pet choice. But these cute puppies grow into large and extremely intelligent dogs who require consistent mental stimulation and physical exercise. This high level Volume XI - Number 2 of necessary care often takes German 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Shepherd owners by surprise, and they A lamo, CA 94507 sometimes find themselves unequipped Telephone (925) 405-6397 to handle their pets. This is one reason Fax (925) 406-0547 that German Shepherds are second only editor@yourmonthlypaper.com to pit bulls in dog shelter populations, Corstorphine ~ Publisher and it’s also the reason for the existence TheAlisa opinions expressed herein belong to the of Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible (BAGSR). for the content of any of the advertising herein,
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nor does publication imply endorsement.