Futures Explored

Our folks love giving back! ❤️

Every Monday, Futures ALIVE East proudly partners with Meals on Wheels America to help make a difference in our community. Our participants volunteer their time delivering nutritious meals to individuals throughout the Antioch area.

We are incredibly proud of our participants for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to giving back to their community!

Image 1: ALIVE East's Mamae checks inside the cooler for the food. Elliot picks up another cooler next to it. Tyler & Cyndy wait their turn to pick up a cooler. Vans labeled "Meals on Wheels" surround the pickup area.

Image 2: Elliot loading a cooler full of food into the Futures ALIVE van.

Image 3: Elliot giving the camera man a thumbs up inside the van.

Image 4: Tyler gives his bag of food to a resident of the apartment. The patron's hand is seen taking the plastic bag from Tyler's hand.

Image 5: Tayler walking over a barren lawn, gives the camera man a peace sign over his face. He is carrying a plastic bag full of groceries, walking towards the front porch.

Image 6: Cyndy with a peace sign is next to an older woman who received the plastic bag full of food. They're in front of the patron's door as they smile together.

Image 7: A group photo with everyone who delivered food today: Alissa & Mamae are wearing a black Futures Explored shirt and are at the back. Cyndy, Tyler & Elliot are in front smiling for the camera. Tyler & Elliot are both wearing Meals on Wheels shirts.

Futures ALIVE East visited the Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek for an educational field trip. Our folks learned about a variety of animals, their habitats, and the importance of wildlife conservation. They also enjoyed seeing firsthand how injured and orphaned wild animals are cared for and rehabilitated by the dedicated staff.

Image 1: Cyndy walking down the stairs of the Lindsey Wildlife Experience's entrance. The foundation's banner hangs above her head.

Image 2: Tyler & Isaiah peep their heads through a Photo stand in of a birdkeeper & an owl respectfully. Isaiah is a little too tall, so he peeks his head out upside down.

Image 3: Cyndy petting a lizard with the assistance of the wildlife caretaker. She brushes her hand against the spine of the lizard as the caretaker holds it in her hands.

Image 4: Savannah smiling in front of a tall Grizzly Bear taxidermy.

Image 5: ALIVE East staff member pointing out some live animals in an exhibit as Isaiah takes it all in.

Image 6: The group watching real wildlife doctors taking care of a wild falcon from a glass divider. There's a vast difference in the warm colors in the vet care room compared to the cool colors of the observing room.

Image 7: ​​ALIVE East Staff & Participants take a group photo in front of a wild bird exhibit – a big glass window spans the wall, seeing the nature inspired mural behind them.

The GARDEN Tri-Valley Program in Livermore provides compassionate, individualized support for adults with significant cognitive and physical disabilities. Beyond our exceptional daily care, we also empower participants to build meaningful connections, and become advocates for themselves and others.

We believe our individuals should live with dignity, purpose, and equitable inclusion.

If you know someone in the area who could benefit from these services, contact your local Regional Center or call 925-626-3642 for more information!

Image Description: Direct Support Professionals, Tia & Jackie, they share a smile with participant, Danni who is in a wheelchair. All three women share a big smile. Wall is decorated with Birthday Cupcakes.

Over the weekend, Futures Explored’s Creative Arts & Media had a magical time visiting Pixar Studios in Emeryville for a special accessible screening of Toy Story 5. Thank you the awesome people at Pixar for the invitation and for creating an inclusive experience that everyone could enjoy; it was a day to remember!

Image 1: A group of Creative Arts & Media staff & students gathered in-between the iconic Pixar Lamp & Luxo Ball underneath the bright sun.

Image 2: A tryptic – Marissa smiling with a Buzz & Woody plushie, Rudy showing off his Toy Story shirt while posing in front of the Lilypad display. Andrew, with his mom, smiling by the atrium's entrance, showing off the lobby's Pixar decorations.

Image 3: Cristian, with his family, smiling under the massive atrium filled with benches, Pixar memorabilia & the entrance to the private screening.

Image 4: Sean, on top of the bridge, waves at the camera. A sign "Jessie Was Here" is hanging by the wall.

Image 5: Two of our Creative Arts & Media staff playing ping pong in the lobby. A big mural of Jessie from Toy Story 5 is prominent behind them.

Image 6: Marissa & her mom posing in front of the marquee display of Toy Story 5.

Our outings are OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Connections East's Kelly took her group to the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, CA. Luisa, Tara & Resunda had an incredible experience exploring a world outside theirs – learning about NASA technology and engulfed into space within minutes! This was infinitely an unforgettable experience.

Image 1: Resunda, Tara & Kelly smiling under the "Chabot Space & Science Center" banner by the lobby.
Image 2: Waiting for a screening, Tara, Kelly & Resunda are relaxing under the "stars" at the observatory.
Image 3: Tara puts on paper 3D glasses to get an immersive, interactive exhibit.
Image 4: The trio in awe as they look up at the massive telescope pointing directly out of the observatory.
Image 5: Resunda, with an experience of a lifetime, had a chance to look through the telescope as she studied the stars.
Image 6: Walking to the next exhibit, Resunda points at the NASA decor on the ceiling, as the trio looks up.

Meet Creative Arts & Media's Chris!
He is one of the many art teachers our Concord program has to offer! Chris' passion for painting and dedication to advocacy shine through; inspiring our folks to express themselves creatively and build confidence through art.

Image 1: Chris showing his class the paintbrush of choice for the next step.

Image 2: Chris continues to share his technique on his canvas. Meanwhile we also see a student's version of the painting as the student follows along.

Nothing beats a day at the Alameda County Fair! Our Go Group participants had an incredible time enjoying the festivities, meeting new animal friends, and making wonderful memories together. We're already looking forward to the next adventure!

Image 1: Matt, Thomas, Holly, Marshal & Mac in front of the food vendors & arcades at the Alameda County Fair.

Image 2: Holly at the Petting Zoo, offering snacks to 4 goats of different sizes.

Image 3: Holly hugging an Alpaca

Image 4: Matt petting a bunny at the small critter exhibition.

Image 5: Holly showing off a handmade 49ers gnome made of yarn.

Image 6: Thomas approaching the soft serve vendor. A colorful, over-the-top display of soft serve ice cream and pineapples towers over Thomas.

Image 7: Thomas shows off his soft serve to the camera.

Image 8: Holly, volunteering to be the judge of the pig races, sitting next to the finish line as the small piglets dash towards the end. Tanbark splashes everywhere as the pigs frantically run.

Image 9: For volunteering at the pig race, Holly shows off her ribbon that she earned alongside Go Group.

Image 10: Thomas & Holly going through a maze entirely made of tall cardboard.

Image 11: Holly takes a picture with the Alameda County law enforcement in front of their vehicle.

Image 12: Go Group in front of the water fountain monument at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

We like to thank Down Syndrome Information Alliance for allowing Futures Films to capture your great program, iCanBike! iCanBike is a 5-day program that teaches individuals with disabilities (ages 8 and older) how to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle.

Awesome seeing the folks learning how to ride a bike and zooming past our cameras!

If you like to hire us to be your photographers, videographers, your production company — contact [email protected] or check out our website: www.futuresfilms.org

Image 1: The Future Films crew finishing up the interview with bike rider Liam. Pat & Quint are behind the cameras, Jack behind the soft light, and Emma holding the boom mic over Liam.

Image 2: Liam's parents & associates watching over the interview process. The crew is keen on Liam as he explains his awesome experience.

Image 3: A look at the camera monitor – it shows Liam with his bike helmet & "iCan Bike" shirt.

Image 4: Pat checking on Quint's camera seeing the settings are correct and offering advice on videography.

Image 5: Jack recording a plethora of riders & assistants rolling past him.

Image 6: Jenny, our Digital Image Technician, checking over the footage the camera team recorded throughout the morning. She is wearing a Pokemon Go shirt, surrounded by Pokemon decor as she studies the footage.

Image 7: Quint & Emma recording a rider past them by.

Image 8: Futures Film's Pat setting up his camera in front of a group of bikes.

While FMS Stockton main goal is to create art and film, we also dedicate time to learn independent living skills! Stockton’s Aurora taught her students the fundamentals of cooking prep and knife etiquette!

Image 1: Mikayla demonstrating cutting her carrots on a cutting board.

Image 2: Soleil shows off her diced carrots.

Image 3: Emily shared her pride in her minced carrots.