Easterseals Introduces 2026 Volleyball Challenge Ambassador

Around the halls of Easterseals, she is known as Boss Lady. Ellice Biloon, a Newark, DE resident who attends the Easterseals Adult Day program, is aptly named. She earned her nickname because she is the first person to welcome other participants each day and enjoys keeping everyone organized and feeling included.

“I really like it at Easterseals and look forward to coming here. Easterseals feels like my family now. I have a community here and friends. They take good care of me and help me do things. Easterseals helps me to be in the community.” Ellice says. “I need Easterseals, and it would be uncomfortable without it because you get bored in the house doing nothing and being like a couch potato.”

Ellice was attending a senior center but wanted to feel more engaged in her community, so she chose to join the Easterseals adult day program in Newark. Now, with daily support from her Direct Support Professional (DSP), she attends the program five days a week, is developing independent living skills, and is building meaningful friendships. 

“I believe coming to Easterseals gives Ellice purpose. Easterseals is her world. I'm just happy to be a part of that,” Easterseals Program Supervisor, Martinique “Marti” Dorsey, says. “She wanted to get out into the community, and that's what Easterseals makes sure she achieves. We build that bridge of trust with our participants. We let them know we are here for them.”

One of her favorite activities with Easterseals is delivering Meals on Wheels to seniors and serving food to seniors in the community, including some she knew at the senior center. She loves visiting the farmer’s market, the library, and going out to lunch. She also enjoys trips to Michael’s, where she works on her money-management goals by purchasing beads for her bracelet-making business.   

“Marti helps me achieve my goals,” Ellice says. “One of my goals is money management. And that way I can learn more about how to spend the money wisely out in the community.”

DSPs, like Marti, collaborate with participants to help them achieve personal goals and work toward greater independence. This is especially important for participants, like Ellice, who lives in a group home and, since her parents passed away, does not have natural family support. For DSPs, it’s more than just checking boxes; it’s about fostering independence, creating a sense of belonging, and helping people to engage meaningfully in their community. 

“It feels good to know that you can make someone feel loved, wanted, and accepted. It's very rewarding for me. It is a job you leave at the end of the day feeling like you have made someone successful. You give someone comfort that they may not receive once they leave here,” Marti says. “To work at Easterseals is to be the highlight of someone's day. You are that personal contact, that happiness.”

Ellice will share her story as the Volleyball Ambassador for the 2026 Easterseals/CAI Volleyball Challenge, which will take place on March 7, 2026, at the University of Delaware Carpenter Sports Building (26 N College Ave, Newark, DE 19711). 

Click here to donate to Ellice's Volleyball Team.