On October 19, 2024, Easterseals Southern California hosted its most successful Strides for Disability 3K/5K event to-date; a sell-out that surpassed all fundraising goals. Held at a new venue—Angel Stadium in Anaheim—this year’s event gave participants the unique opportunity to walk, run, or roll through the stadium and even see themselves on the jumbotron.

Before the race began, attendees enjoyed free breakfast burritos and visited vendor booths, which featured games, face painting, trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, and so much more. Attendees were also treated to a fun warm up and performance by the award-winning Rollettes.

More than 1,300 individuals came together and helped raise over $180,000 at the 2024 Strides for Disability walk. The funds raised from Strides will directly benefit our disability and community services, so that we can continue to empower individuals and families across our Southern California communities in innovative new ways.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Marathon Sponsors: $5,000

• ABA Enhancement
• American Business Bank
• Banc of California
• Board Members Mark Bertrand and Artie Southam
• Bernards
• T-Mobile

Distance Sponsors: $2,500

• Bank of America
• California Telecom
• CAPTRUST
• Envision NonProfit
• Fraternal Order of the Police
• James and Gable Insurance Brokers

Plaza In-Kind Donors:

• AAA
• Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions
• Anaheim Ducks
• CVS Pharmacy
• LATHER
• Los Angeles Angels
• Banana Boat
• Century 21 Desert Rock
• Yakult

Congratulations to our top fundraising teams:

• 1st Place: Amway Nutrilite DreamMakers!
• 2nd Place: The Cash Flow Crusaders — Easterseals Finance Team
• 3rd Place: Artie Southam’s Team — Joey, Topa, Nugget, and Family
• 4th Place: The Morris Clan, Team Captain and Board Member Claudia Villamizar!

These contributions create a solid foundation that allows us to make a real difference, and we are so grateful to each and every business and individual for coming out to support Easterseals.

2025 will mark the 25^th anniversary of Strides for Disability! Be on the lookout for announcements and updates for next year’s event, we can’t wait to see you there.

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we invited Kyle Onstott, CEO of Marketing Empire Group (MEG), to share his experience with Easterseals Southern California. In this guest blog post, Kyle reflects on hiring Connor, a video editor who secured his position at MEG through our Customized Employment Services. Kyle highlights how Connor’s work ethic and professional growth have positively impacted MEG’s culture and success. You can read more about Connor’s journey here. (Credit for Connor’s photo above right: Jaspreet Singh)

Written by Kyle Onstott, CEO of Marketing Empire Group

At Marketing Empire Group (MEG), we are a faith-based organization that believes every individual is created with purpose, and part of our mission is to foster a team where that purpose can thrive. It’s not just about hitting goals or achieving numbers, it’s about the people who make our culture vibrant and our success sustainable. And one of the shining examples of that belief is our employee, Connor.

Connor’s journey with us started through Easterseals Southern California’s Employment Services. After working with his Vocational Specialist, Desiree, to determine if MEG was the right fit for Connor, he came on board as an intern. His talents quickly shined and showed he was destined for a vital role on our team. Now, he’s one of our top employees, someone who fully embodies what our company stands for.

From day one, Connor was proactive. He didn’t just wait for tasks to be handed to him, he sought out ways to contribute. Whether it was getting involved in content creation with the sales team or stepping out of his immediate role to generate leads and bring in new clients, his drive has been nothing short of exceptional.

And, of course, there’s the heart of it all – Connor’s will. I always say, “You can teach skill, but you can’t teach will.” Connor has it in abundance. His eagerness to learn, develop, and grow is unmatched, and that’s something you simply can’t teach. His commitment to personal and professional growth has not only benefitted him, but has been a huge asset to us as a company.

We recognized Connor’s exceptional potential early on and made the decision to invest in his growth, knowing his unique talents would bring tremendous value to our company. Hands-on training, advanced software, online courses, and in-person events have all been a part of his development journey here at MEG. And it’s not just about what we’ve given, Connor has taken every opportunity and run with it, proving time and again that he’s not only capable but willing to go the extra mile.

Working with Easterseals Southern California has also been a positive experience. Their support throughout the hiring process and beyond has been fantastic. Desiree, his Vocational Specialist, has been there every step of the way, ensuring that both Connor and MEG have what we need to make this partnership successful.

To any employer considering working with Easterseals or hiring individuals with disabilities, I would say this: don’t hesitate. They just might become your next best employee. You’ll gain not just a team member, but someone who brings a unique perspective, unmatched drive, and the kind of energy that enhances your entire culture. It’s more than just a hire, it’s a game changer. The support from Easterseals has been seamless, and the value Connor brings to the team is immeasurable.

At the end of the day, Marketing Empire Group thrives because of the people who embody our core values. Connor is one of those people, and we are so fortunate to have him as part of the MEG family. Culture is key here, and we’re grateful to have someone who not only fits in but elevates it to new heights.

Here’s to Connor, to Easterseals, and to the bright future ahead!

Read Connor’s Story of Success here to learn more about how Easterseals Customized Employment Services supported him in finding a fulfilling career.

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month by discovering how Mike started a successful tie-dye business in Los Angeles. 

If turning a hobby into a business is considered ‘the dream,’ then Mike is truly living life to the fullest! Mike owns and operates his own tie-dye apparel company called Urban Revel, where he makes creative tie-dye shirts, hats, sweatshirts and other items.

What started as a fun project during the COVID-19 shutdowns quickly turned into a business when friends started requesting custom designs and t-shirts.

“I started Urban Revel for fun,” said Mike. “It was when I was at home going to [school on] Zoom. My friends liked my shirts. I made more and more. Then people asked to buy my shirts. I [then] started a website store.”

Mike doesn’t just do the tie-dyeing, but he also is the creative mind behind some of the popular slogans and sayings that go on his t-shirts. Mike can make customers just about anything, from his popular Zoom-inspired “You’re on Mute” design, to a fan-favorite hoodie that simply says “Dim Sum,” which just so happens to be one of Mike’s favorite foods.

Mike’s mom, Amy Yee, who is a consultant at Easterseals Southern California, says, “For me, it’s awesome knowing he’s doing something he’s excited about and there’s also that sense of security. He knows what he likes and he’s able to turn his interests into something that he can do. You can really think outside of the box about employment when you tie it with your interests.” Mike added, “Pick something you love to do and make it your own business. Start small and have fun.”

Since COVID-19, Mike’s business has really taken off throughout Los Angeles thanks to a loyal customer base. Currently, his attire is available for purchase online, at various community resource events, and at Musichead, a local art gallery where he recently hosted a tie-dye workshop.

“I’m very proud of our community and how they’ve embraced him and the people that we’ve met along the way,” said Amy.

Mike has big plans to expand his business throughout LA while continuing to build social connections and friendships.

“A fashion show would be fun,” said Mike. “I would like to do a pop-up in LA with cool shirts, hats, and other things with music and food.

To learn more about Mike and how you can support his tie-dye business, visit urbanrevella.com.

Watch Mike’s video to Learn About Urban Revel:

While the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology for day-to-day living, the digital divide between those who have access to digital resources and those who do not continues to grow for the disability community. Easterseals is on a mission to bridge that divide while highlighting the importance of digital equity, ensuring that all individuals and communities have the technology needed for full participation in our society.

An Easterseals Life Skills Coach and participant using an iPad device.

Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), which starts October 7, aims to celebrate and advance the removal of barriers to the online world and increase access to home internet, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs. This year’s DIW theme is “Stronger Together: Mobilizing Toward Sustainability,” which speaks to the power of collaboration in ensuring the longevity of digital inclusion.

We are excited to highlight some of the ways Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) is working toward closing this digital divide for people with disabilities.

“Technology has increasingly become a part of everyone’s day-to-day lives, but some communities have not been given the same opportunities as others,” said Reese Peterson, Easterseals Southern California’s Tech Lending Library Director. “The pandemic highlighted the fact that the disability community was not being given an equal opportunity to access and utilize tech. With the Technology Lending Library, we can bridge that divide and positively impact digital equity and inclusion for the community.”

At a Glance: How Easterseals is Addressing the Digital Divide

Easterseals Southern California is proud to be involved in several projects that advance digital equity among the disability community and beyond, in collaboration with five Regional Centers: Eastern Los Angeles, Frank D. Lanterman, San Gabriel/Pomona, Harbor, North Los Angeles County.

To date, we’ve served 560+ individuals through these programs and currently have 430+ individuals enrolled in the Tech Lending Library program.

Here’s a breakdown of the devices and equipment we’ve distributed to Easterseals participants and their families through programs like our Tech Lending Library:

• 345 iPads

• 145+ Laptops

• 75+ JayPads (reflects Adult Day Services participants as well as Tech Lending Library participants)

Adaptive Equipment Provided: 

• Wheelchair arm iPad clamp mounts

• Dragon voice to function software

• Specialty iPad cases (cases include full body straps, hand straps, and easy-grab points)

We also provide trainings to individuals, ranging from basic navigation and utilization of their devices, to setting up emails for communication, as well as collaborating with clinicians to provide speech support via Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) applications.

Additional Digital Equity Offerings and Programs

The Technology Lending Library loans iPads, Dell and Surface Go Laptops, and JayPad tablets with a Zoom autojoin feature for people receiving services at participating Regional Centers (Eastern Los Angeles, Frank D. Lanterman, San Gabriel/Pomona, Harbor, North Los Angeles County). These devices are loaned on a short- and long-term basis, depending on the individual’s needs. Along with devices loaned, we offer end-to-end IT support, as well as one-on-one in-person or remote trainings.

Virtual Community

The Virtual Community is a digital hub where individuals connect with their peers online through live events and explore a vast array of on-demand resources that can be accessed 24/7. In addition to our ongoing activities, we offer tech support through specialized workshops or one-on-one trainings to ensure an independent and individualized experience for each participant. The Virtual Community is currently supporting 300 individuals a month.

Adult Day Services’ participant Jocelyn connects with her mom, Georgia on the JayPad – an Android tablet designed with specialized software tailored for individuals with disabilities to do things like automatically join meetings.

JayPad Tablet Training

As part of the Technology Lending Library Program, ESSC provides JayPad training to people with disabilities who are referred by one of five participating Regional Centers.

Hear Our Voices

Hear Our Voices is a multi-pronged program supporting ESSC’s participants of all ages impacted by communication delays or disorders resulting in complex communication needs.

We provide short- and long-term access to iPads with advanced communication applications for those who are in need. Interested participants can email vop@essc.org.

Free Wi-Fi

Easterseals partners with the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Angeleno Connectivity Trust (ACT) Program to provide free Wi-Fi hotspot internet devices to those receiving Regional Center services who are struggling to access online classes and support services.

So far, we have provided 60+ individuals with free Wi-Fi hotspots.

If you are interested in receiving a free Wi-Fi hotspot, please reach out to Director of the Technology Lending Library Reese Peterson at reese.peterson@essc.org or call (714)909-6135.

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Easterseals Southern California is proud to support Digital Inclusion Week as we continue to find ways to ensure people with disabilities have access to technology so they can live independently in their communities. Visit the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) website to learn more about Digital Inclusion Week and how to get involved.