Futures Explored

Last week, various Futures Explored programs gathered at Baldwin Park for a special end-of-summer celebration! The participants came together and had a wonderful time socializing, playing games & rekindling relationships. It was fun all around and we are look forward to making this an annual event.

Want to be part of any of our Futures Explored programs? Visit our official website at www.futures-explored.org or contact your regional center for more information.

Image 1: GARDEN, Futures ALIVE, ALIVE East, Connections Central & East programs are all present in this group photo. They gathered on the grass as they smile to the camera.

Image 2: Mother & Son, Becca & Alex, are Thing 1 and Thing 2 respectively. They both are wearing hats, sunglasses & the Dr. Seuss inspired shirts.

Image 3: A group of participants playing with a parachute filled with colorful balls. They raise the parachute up and down sporadically as the balls bounce around.

Image 4: ALIVE East's Tyler sharing his artwork of the earth to the camera.

Image 5: Miguel smiling for the camera!

Get ready for a night of fun, laughter, and community! 🌈✨

Mango’s at K St. is hosting Drag Bingo on October 1st at 6:00 PM, and Futures Explored is proud to be the beneficiary of half the proceeds of this exciting event! Come out for an inclusive and entertaining evening filled with fabulous drag, bingo, and great company — all while supporting an organization that helps make a difference in our community.

We will also be raffling off some amazing prizes-- including a 3 night Tahoe stay!!

Grab your lucky cards! We can’t wait to see you there!

Image Description: A flier advertising the Drag Queen Bingo event at Mango's. 1930 K St. $20 to play!

Your Voice Matters – and DDS needs to hear it!

The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is asking people with disabilities, families, friends, and service providers to help decide what outcomes should be used to measure the quality and effectiveness of services.

We need more voices at the table, especially the voices of people who receive services.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share what you think matters most. The measures DDS chooses should reflect outcomes that are actually meaningful to the people receiving services.

✅ Take the survey: https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0ofh4ndfNaPPolo

Please share this post and help us get the word out!

Image Description: Connection East's Kelly, Tara & Resunda walking through a hallway full of stained glass. A graphic above states "Your Voice Matters" overlayed with multicolor abstract patterns.

This week, we’re taking time to celebrate the people who show up every day for our folks, our programs, and our community.
Today, we’re honored to recognize Jerry, who has been a valued member of the Futures Explored family for 19 years at Employment Program at Concord.

Angie Lee, Program Coordinator at ALIVE East, had some great words for Jerry,

"Jerry's dedication on a daily basis is nothing short of notable. He wins over those he serves with trust allowing them to feel the confidence many of them need to know themselves, to know who they truly are and what they are capable of accomplishing. His way of interacting and finding that same excitement for others surely has not gone unnoticed by those who have had the pleasure of working with him. I truly hope that with this honor of a nomination he knows just how much of an impact he has made in the lives of others.

Jerry, you are such a wonderful person in both a professional and personal way. You are genuine in having such a caring heart for anyone you come across and it makes me so proud to see how you bring joy to others. You are truly one of a kind and a wonderful human being. You are who we need more of to make this a beautiful world."

Thank you, Jerry, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment.
Our participants thank you, our team appreciates you,
and our community is stronger because of the difference you make every day.

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!

Image Description: Jerry taking a photo with Gabriel who was formerly part of the employment program and is now a commissioned artist.

This week, we’re taking time to celebrate the people who show up every day for our folks, our programs, and our community.
Today, we’re honored to recognize Elizabeth, who has been a valued member of the Futures Explored family for 4 years at Connections Central in Concord.

Sara had something wonderful to say about Elizabeth, "Elizabeth has an amazing ability to make each participant feel special and important. She has built such strong relationships with them that many truly consider her one of their best friends. Participants are always excited to go on trips with her because she makes their time in the community fun, positive, and memorable. Her kindness, energy, and genuine care for the people we support really stand out, and it is easy to see why she is such a favorite among our participants."

Thank you, Elizabeth, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment.
Our participants thank you, our team appreciates you,
and our community is stronger because of the difference you make every day.

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!

Image Description: Elizabeth and Ellen create a heart with their fingers together!

This week, we’re taking time to celebrate the people who show up every day for our folks, our programs, and our community.
Today, we’re honored to recognize Stacie, who has been a valued member of the Futures Explored family for 5 years at Connections Central in Concord.

Sara had something wonderful to say about Stacie, "She does a wonderful job empowering our participants and encouraging them to use their voices. She helps them feel confident speaking up for themselves, making their own choices, and advocating for what they want and need. She is also great at encouraging participants to step outside of their comfort zones, try new things, and build new skills and independence. She truly believes in what our participants are capable of and helps them believe in themselves too."

Thank you, Stacie, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment.
Our participants thank you, our team appreciates you,
and our community is stronger because of the difference you make every day.

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!

Image 1: Stacie & Aurora taking a picture together because they shared a same birthday.
Image 2: Stacie & a group together sharing us what "Yay" is in ASL.

This week, we’re taking time to celebrate the people who show up every day for our folks, our programs, and our community. Today, we’re honored to recognize Jennifer, who has been a valued member of the Futures Explored family for 14 years at GARDEN Brentwood.

Program Coordinator, Ciara, had something nice to say about Jennifer:
"Jennifer has shown up time and time again for our participants and staff, giving them her compassion, dedication, and hard work every single day. She consistently goes above and beyond, and the impact she has made over the years is something we are incredibly thankful for.

And of course, we can’t forget her infectious laughter!
Jennifer has a way of bringing joy and light into any room she walks into.

Jennifer, we are so grateful for the care, laughter, and dedication you bring to GARDEN. There is truly nothing in this world that we would trade for you. Our rockstar, we are so lucky to have you!"

Thank you, Jennifer, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment.
Our participants thank you, our team appreciates you,
and our community is stronger because of the difference you make every day.

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!

Image Description: Jennifer sharing a book with Shannon at the local Barnes & Noble.

This week, we’re taking time to celebrate the people who show up every day for our folks, our programs, and our community.
Today, we’re honored to recognize Kassandra, who has been a valued member of the Futures Explored family for over 3 years at Tailored Day Services. She started as a Sac State intern through the social work BA internship program. After working as a DSP and completing her BA degree Kassandra enjoys her time at Futures Explored and applied for the supervisor position in the TDS Education program.

Laura had something nice to say about Kassandra, "Her hard work and dedication has been a great addition to the department! Along with her experience and background in getting her degree she has helped support numerous participants transfer to Sac State as well as supporting her team in navigating campus resources and DSP supports. Her positive attitude and hard work are so appreciated!"

Thank you, Kassandra, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment.
Our participants thank you, our team appreciates you,
and our community is stronger because of the difference you make every day.

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!

Image Description: Kassandra, on her laptop, talking to Jorel at the Sacramento State Library; where Jorel attends thanks to the support of Kassandra.

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We’re grateful to Board Member Jan for connecting our Passport to Independence Program with the Sacramento Police Department!

Our participants had the opportunity to tour the department, learn more about the important work officers do, and gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication it takes to keep our community safe. Thank you to the Sacramento Police Department for your service and for welcoming us into your space. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and see your work firsthand!

Passport to Independence Sacramento will be hosting the Sacramento Police Department
at our Sacramento Office on September 24th at 10:00am for a meet and greet and some
information. If interested, please join us!

Passport to Independence helps participants become active, engaged members of the Sacramento community. Through hands-on participation in community activities, participants build and practice valuable everyday skills in real-world settings. Want to be part of any of our Futures Explored programs? Visit our official website at www.futures-explored.org or contact your regional center for more information.

Image 1: Our group of participants in front of the "Sacramento Police Department" sign in the main lobby. Some of them are holding mugs as gifts from the department. They are accompanied by a couple of police officers.

Image 2: The participants gathered around a Police bike that's parked inside the station.

Image 3: An official giving a tour for our students – the participants are gathered in an office space while the official explains their workflow at the cubicle.

Go Group, at Pleasanton, regularly practices navigating public transportation to San Francisco to build confidence in their travel skills. As part of these outings, participants have the opportunity to travel by ferry while enjoying the beautiful views of the bay, and experience the refreshing ocean air.

Want to be part of any of our Futures Explored programs? Visit our official website at www.futures-explored.org or contact your regional center for more information.

Image 1: Chelsea, Marshal & Amy sitting on the Ferry bench. A beautiful view of San Francisco behind them. Marshal is wearing a SF Giants hat and Amy is wearing a nautical sailor hat.

Image 2: Go Group's Ren & Amy look at the camera. Behind them is the Bay Bridge.

Image 3: At Fisherman's Wharf, Marshal & Chelsea pose for the camera. The Fisherman Wharf's clock tower rises behind them.