Young Professionals Creating Possibilities for People with Disabilities

When I was in high school there were, of course, students with disabilities in my graduating class. But it was not often that I ran into them given differing class schedules and social activities—in fact, I can’t really recall a time in which we ever interacted. Sure, there were extra curricular clubs like Best Buddies that aimed to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But I was too busy being a band geek to get involved in that club or any other…

After graduation, I didn’t give any thought to what opportunities existed for those
students I had grown up alongside. Now, all I can think is that if I, myself, struggled with my post-diploma life plan, it has to be so much more challenging for those with more limited options!

Looking back, I’m shocked at how naïve I was about their existence in the community I’d inhabited for so long. We all know how high school cliques have a way of segregating the masses, but our educational system and societal structure also do this. As it was true for many of us in high school, the same is true today: we don’t often consider adults with developmental disabilities as a part of the society we live in. They exist elsewhere—group homes, vocational training centers, and at home with their families…right? I didn’t know anyone with a developmental disability prior to my job at Countryside Association for People with Disabilities, so this is the way I viewed my community. Now, of course, it’s my job to communicate about all that we do to connect our folks to what’s going on in our area and vice versa.

I also handle a lot of our volunteer program at Countryside. Did you know that young people (55%) volunteer at roughly twice the rate of adults (29%)? At my high school and, especially, the college I attended, there was also a tremendous focus on volunteering, interning, and getting involved with what’s happening in the community. When you only have school, extra curricular activities and maybe a part-time job to think about, volunteerism is easy to squeeze in. But the societal encouragement to give back doesn’t seem to be as strong in the “real world,” where mortgages, bills, and raising a family enter the picture.

However, knowing how a nonprofit works and collaborating regularly with a board of directors, my appreciation of volunteerism has changed drastically. It’s much more crucial than I ever thought in school! And the opportunities are limitless. Many professionals who have a 9 to 5 job feel the only volunteer opportunities available to them are things like stocking a food pantry on the weekend or staffing a call center on a week night, but there’s so much more. Armed with an agency overview, instructions, and promotional materials, the variety of volunteer hours that are logged can greatly impact an organization’s mission.

This fiscal year, I have been tasked with starting a Young Professionals Group (YPG) comprised of members between the ages of 22 and 35. The YPG will work to support the services and programs Countryside offers to individuals with developmental disabilities in a fresh and engaging way. The group will demonstrate commitment to some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens through fundraising and volunteer activities, while receiving valuable networking and leadership opportunities. The time commitment is only a few hours a month—outside of business hours, of course—and it’s a fabulous résumé booster!

A perfect example of what this group will accomplish is the concert fundraiser Countryside held at the Cubby Bear North last month. The first ever Rockin’ the Countryside featured two bands (who both played for free), a handful of raffle prizes, and lots of fun. And, naturally, we also squeezed in a brief introduction to the agency. All the event proceeds—including the $8 cover charge—benefitted Countryside and the gross revenue was just under $3,000. Next year, the YPG will assume ownership of this already successful event. It’s that easy and that meaningful!

Blessed with a heart to serve and supported by a liberal arts education, my career in fundraising and communications has been fulfilling but a bit lonely in terms of interacting with colleagues close to my age (27). Many of the people I’ve worked with have been seasoned professionals, so I find myself gravitating towards my younger co-workers who provide direct service support to our program participants. As the staff liaison for Countryside’s new Young Professionals Group, I look forward to connecting with the community members interested in joining! It’s going to be a lot of fun so please contact me at (847) 540-3706 or info@countrysideassn.org to learn more; you can also download the application associated with this blog post.