As December begins, and the new year is upon us, many look back on the memories they had during the year. 2024 brought a lot of exciting new opportunities for so many of us, including Juan Álvarez, a Laradon Adult Day participant.
This year, Juan became one of the first individuals to graduate from Laradon’s Adult Day Culinary Training Service. The Culinary Training Service teaches individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities everything from hosting skills to safe cooking practices in a kitchen.
The ultimate goal of this service is to equip participants, like Juan with the right skills to successfully enter the workforce.
This program is spearheaded by Laradon staffers Viola and Dakota, whom Juan couldn’t say kinder words about: “I just appreciate my teachers Viola and Dakota. They helped me, they were there for me.”
Opportunities like the Culinary Training Service is what International Day of Persons with Disabilities Day is all about. This day is celebrated on December 3rd of each year and aims to raise awareness that people with disabilities should be involved in decisions that affect their lives and have the right to be represented and included in society.
In Juan’s case, he wants to be able to be a part of the workforce and is making decisions for himself, like graduating from the Culinary Training Service and taking those next steps in finding a job that showcases his strengths.
“I support (Laradon) because I’ve seen progress in my son’s behavior. He has matured a lot, and they’ve helped both him and me,” emphasizes María Elena Álvarez.
María is Juan’s mother and his current provider through Laradon’s Family Caregiver Program. María says Laradon was the perfect fit for her family because of its equal access and opportunities for people in the Spanish speaking community.
The Community Living Services Program has specialized bilingual staff ready to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers, family members, or host home providers— a much-needed assistance for the Spanish speaking community to receive services.
“One of the things I like about working with Laradon is that they are always very kind and willing to help me with any paperwork I don’t understand. For me, language is a barrier because I don’t know how to speak or read English. So, when the Laradon social worker comes, she helps me a lot by translating all the papers, messages, and calls so I can assist my son,” explains María.
Maria and Juan’s story represents just one example of how access to equal opportunities of resources and making decisions for one’s future can lead to a positive chain reaction. From the bilingual staff at Laradon to its Adult Day Program’s services, both Maria and Juan have been able to thrive.
“We must be here for one another. They (Laradon) are there for me, as I am there for them because I care…I care about them,” Juan says as he smiles.
