Tonya uses advocacy, poetry, and lived experience to help empower others with intellectual and developmental disabilities “People with Autism are easy-going. You just need to give us a chance and get to know us,” says Tonya with a gentle, playful giggle. Her words are straightforward and warm, exactly like her. Tonya is a CFS participant,
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The Courage to Rise and the Heart to Give Back: Nancy’s Extraordinary Journey
From the moment you meet Nancy, you can feel her warmth—even before you hear her voice. Yet it’s her voice—kind, steady, and full of conviction—that has carried her through a truly awe-inspiring journey of self-advocacy, independence, kindness, and community leadership. Nancy, who has intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and uses a motorized wheelchair because she
Read moreP.A.G.E.S. Self Starters: Advocacy, Impact, and Making a Difference
Action, independence, and impact are just a few words that define CFS’ P.A.G.E.S. advocacy efforts — and the powerful work of its Self Starters group, made up of CFS participants like Jackie, Jeff, Kasheena, and Oscar. P.A.G.E.S. is one of three self-advocacy groups supported by CFS. Focused on political engagement, education, and community action, the
Read moreCFS Employee of the Year!
When Maria won Employee of the Year at CFS, she was stunned. “I was just doing my job,” she said with a warm shrug, still in disbelief. A per diem Direct Support Professional (DSP) at CFS’ Bryant Residence for the past four years, Maria has always balanced other responsibilities and jobs—but never lets that get
Read moreBoxing, Blockbusters, and Brave Change: Jesse’s Amazing Story
Jesse will tell you he’s a bit of a homebody. He loves thriller films and the charm of physical media—DVDs, retro arcade games, and movie theaters. He has filled the apartment where he now lives independently with movie posters, video games, miniature cars, and stacks of DVDs. He much prefers the analogue world to cloud-based
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