Some people collect souvenirs. Oscar collects people. Oscar is a storyteller whose love of filmmaking begins—and ends—in conversations with all the characters whom he has collected throughout his life. Spend just a minute with Oscar and you’re immediately lifted by his infectious enthusiasm. Every conversation quickly turns to something he’s excited about: a film festival,
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Miguelina: Finding Purpose Through Service
Miguelina’s Story For most of my life, I struggled to figure out what my purpose was or what I was truly good at. I tried piano, singing, dancing, and painting, but nothing ever felt like the right fit. Like many children, I dreamed of becoming an architect or a ballet dancer, but as I grew
Read moreSupporting Families, Empowering Lives, and Building Inclusive Communities
Alicia McGrath Discusses The Center for Family Support’s Mission on AARP’s “Take Five with Ken.’ Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, independent, and connected life, according to The Center for Family Support’s (CFS’) President and CEO, Alicia McGrath. During a recent interview on ONNJ’s AARP’s Take Five with Ken Rosato, Alicia discussed how
Read moreIf I Can, Then You Can: Tonya Helps Empower Others with I/DD
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,
Read moreThe 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
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