CONNECTBold Futures through New Horizons
The My LA2050 grant will support New Horizons’ efforts to provide increased opportunities and options for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to participate in and connect with the community, through volunteerism, employment, social interaction and meaningful involvement. We will develop a coordinated transportation system to more efficiently utilize agency vehicles, public transportation, and other mobility options to facilitate greater access to and participation in the community.
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
San Fernando Valley
In what stage of innovation is this project?
Pilot project or new program
If you are submitting a collaborative proposal, please describe the specific role of partner organizations in the project.
Although we will be working with special education programs from LAUSD schools, local companies, and local non-profit organizations, this is not a collaborative proposal.
What is the need you’re responding to?
New Horizons’ goal is to expand opportunities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) to achieve greater access to meaningful community involvement, connection and impact. For years, adults with I/DD have been provided services in segregated/“disabled only” settings or campuses. We believe, and recent federal legislation requires, that services and supports be provided in the most integrated environment possible..the community. New Horizons has adapted its campus-based learning, job training and recreation services for over 750 individuals to be conducted in community settings. By implementing a coordinated transportation system, we will be able to maximize use of agency vehicles and public transportation to transport more people and more of our mobility-challenged participants, to community sites.
Why is this project important to the work of your organization?
For over 66 years New Horizons has recognized the value and contributions of individuals with special needs. We believe in an inclusive world that celebrates strengths, respects abilities, and embraces diversity. We are securing additional employers to hire people with disabilities, recruiting more non-profit partners to engage our clients as volunteers, and increasing local businesses and resources where our clients shop and play. By coordinating our limited number of vehicles to a route system we will be able to efficiently transport more people out into the community for longer periods of time. New Horizons' 66-year history of high-level accreditation reviews, award-winning programming in employment services, and relationships with over 400 businesses and non-profit agencies, positions us as a seasoned and innovative organization dedicated to creating brighter futures for people with disabilities and our great L.A. community.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this proposal?
Direct Impact: 350
Indirect Impact: 3,500
Please describe the broader impact of your proposal.
The 350 individuals participating in this project are adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Approximately 15% also have a physical disability. The 3500 reflects the co-workers and volunteer agency recipients and site coordinators. By implementing a transportation route system, we will be able to transport more participants (and more with mobility challenges) to sites using our vehicles in a pick-up/drop-off plan. This will allow participants to also stay longer at volunteer or activity sites, rather than having to return due to shared vehicle with another activity group. This system may lead to additional volunteer or employment opportunities as it will increase the time-frame for involvement at a site.
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.
Our ultimate vision of success is inclusion of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in all aspects of the community...as neighbors, co-workers, classmates, friends. Specific to this project, we will define success as the development and implementation of a coordinated transportation route system that will maximize the use of vehicles and public transportation to increase numbers of program participants involved in: community-based activities; volunteer assignments; employment training; employment.
Which of the CONNECT metrics will your submission impact?
Volunteerism
Disability access and inclusion
Are there any other LA2050 goal categories that your proposal will impact?
LA is the best place to PLAY
Which of LA2050’s resources will be of the most value to you?
Access to the LA2050 community
Communications support