Community Stories

Through a partnership between Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the Food Bank of Delaware, Kristen and Shalanda, both supported by Easterseals’ Supported Employment Services, completed the Food Bank’s 12 week Kitchen School Program, gaining hands on culinary skills, confidence, and career momentum while continuing to work and moving closer to achieving their long term goals in the food service industry.

This Giving Tuesday, your donation helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities not only gain meaningful work and connection but also strengthen the community by delivering Meals on Wheels to neighbors in need. Every gift supports empowering people with I/DD to make a real difference in their communities.

When Dominick David, of Newark, is in his Easterseals day program for adults with intellectual disabilities, his mom, Lynne, knows he is engaged in activities, forming relationship bonds and staying connected to his community.

The Kane family are grateful that Easterseals has services that meet the needs of every stage in life. From Children’s Therapy Services to Personal Attendant Services and everything in between, Easterseals is there for them.

Families like James’ turn to Easterseals not only for life-changing therapies, but for hope for their child’s future. Tracy and Jamie experienced that after James was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

It's hard to find a group of people who bring dedication and a hard-working attitude but also smiles with them. The CHEER Center found that in a group of volunteers from Easterseals Pre-Vocational Services. Participants at Easterseals love volunteering in the community, and thanks to this partnership, they are able to do just that while learning valuable work skills.

Blessings come in small packages. Latoya and Jean’s blessing came in the size of their first baby boy who was born with Down syndrome. Latoya went right to work getting him the services he needed and found the tools for success at Easterseals

Super Everleigh is amazing, but even superheroes need help sometimes and that is why her family was happy to find Easterseals Children’s Therapy to help Everleigh with her physical disability.

When Elijah, who has autism, started Easterseals Speech Therapy, he had very few words in his vocabulary and now he is speaking 10 to 20 words in short sentences.

When Gabriela “Gg” started attending Camp Fairlee she was afraid of heights and unsure of herself. As she stepped off the edge of the zipline climbing tower her heart was pounding, but as she flew through the air, all of her worries disappeared.

Easterseals Camp Fairlee, which kicks off in a few weeks, is a place where children and adults, like Jake can grow as individuals, make lifelong connections, and find independence. Jake is able to soar on a zip line, sing his heart out in “Fairlee’s Got Talent” and savor new foods in a safe and nurturing environment. Meanwhile, his parents, Jen and Frank, get the break they need.

People with disabilities, like Jamie, are among the hardest working employees in the workforce. Yet, often, they are overlooked. Thankfully, with the help of Easterseals Supported Employment program, Jamie, is employed in a job he loves.