At Living and Learning Enrichment Center, we’re excited to share some wonderful news about the generous grants we’ve received and the incredible impact they’re having on our programs. These grants are helping us transform lives, foster independence, and nurture creativity among individuals with disabilities. Let’s take a closer look at how our community partners are supporting our mission.
MASCO Corporation: Championing Vocational Training
We’re thrilled to announce that MASCO Corporation has renewed its commitment to our inclusive vocational training program with a substantial grant for 2024. This ongoing support is instrumental in helping our participants build essential work skills and move closer to long-term employment.
Sue Sabo, MASCO’s Director of Corporate Giving, beautifully articulated the company’s dedication: “Masco is proud to be a corporate sponsor of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center and its vision to become the nation’s model in supporting the highest quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. Each year, Living and Learning has found new ways to serve their clients and families, creating an invaluable support system in the southeast Michigan community.”
MASCO’s support enables us to:
- Enhance our Vocational Program, including Voc+, Skill Building, and Job Development
- Provide diverse job skills training at various sites with expert coaches
- Teach crucial job readiness skills
- Help members become well-rounded and improve their social skills
The impact is clear: we’ve seen over 100 members successfully placed in meaningful employment positions. Our Skill Building Program now serves around 180 members, while our Job Development Program supports approximately 90 individuals.
PNC Foundation: Driving Inclusive Vocational Opportunities
We’re grateful to announce a $10,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to support our community-based vocational training programs. This renewal of support is a testament to the success and importance of our work.
The PNC Foundation’s grant will help us:
- Offset key program expenses related to direct staff wages
- Provide essential transportation support, addressing one of the biggest barriers our members face
- Connect individuals with disabilities to caring job coaches
- Offer real-world work experience across dozens of industries and hundreds of regional employers
Our Vocational Skill Building Program, which began in 2019 with just two members, has grown exponentially. Today, it serves around 180 members, fostering personal growth, greater independence, and important social relationship-building.
Consumers Energy Foundation: Powering Inclusive Employment Training
The Consumers Energy Foundation has generously awarded a $5,000 grant to support our vocational training initiative. This grant is crucial in our efforts to empower individuals with disabilities who face challenges finding fulfilling employment.
With the Consumers Energy Foundation’s support, we can:
- Enhance our job coach retention efforts
- Maintain a positive and supportive environment for our members
- Provide community-based inclusive training and practical real-world experience
- Equip participants with the skills needed for long-term meaningful employment
The impact of this support is evident in the low turnover rate of our job coaches and the happiness and growth we see in our members every day.
Inclusive Arts Fund: Nurturing Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Thanks to the support from the Inclusive Arts Fund, we’ve been able to expand our artistic initiatives, particularly through MOD Market. This inclusive artist’s market and gift shop in Downtown Northville has grown from 26 artist partners in September 2019 to over 90 today, with 50% being individuals with disabilities.
The Inclusive Arts Fund’s support allows us to:
- Provide mentorship to our Empowered artists
- Help artists prepare their work for gallery exhibition
- Teach proper packaging techniques for retail sale
- Create opportunities for artists to work at MOD Market and popup events
- Organize community art exhibits and popup shops in the greater Detroit area
This grant has been instrumental in helping our artists not only showcase their talents but also gain valuable business and social skills.
Art Program: A Canvas for Growth
Our art program, which began eight years ago with just four young women, has blossomed into a vibrant initiative supporting over 40 adults with disabilities each week. Housed in a beautifully transformed three-car garage on our main campus, this adaptive art space has become a haven for self-expression and growth.
This year, we’ve seen remarkable achievements:
- Over 30 of our members were featured artists in the 2024 “My Story” exhibition at the Janice Charach Gallery
- Many participants have started their own art businesses
- Our members have gained employment and contracted work with organizations like the Detroit Zoo and local coffee shops
- Our vocational art crew has created a product line of over 20 ceramic items, now selling in multiple locations across metro Detroit
Exceptional Academy: Breaking Barriers in IT
As we celebrate five years of our Exceptional Academy, we’re proud of its groundbreaking impact. This advanced work skills training program, focused on IT networking certification (CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate) with an emphasis on cybersecurity, has achieved remarkable results:
- Participants have progressed from part-time, near minimum-wage jobs to full-time network engineering positions earning $50-70K with benefits
- We’ve partnered with industry leaders like Comerica Bank, Ford Motor Company, and Plante Moran, who have hired our former students as IT professionals
- Our retention rates are higher than the national average for Cisco Networking Academies
- We’re one of the few Cisco Networking Academies worldwide focusing specifically on adults with disabilities, primarily autism
A Heartfelt Thank You
The incredible support from MASCO, PNC Foundation, Consumers Energy Foundation, and the Inclusive Arts Fund, along with all our other partners and donors, makes our work possible. Together, we’re creating a more inclusive community where individuals with disabilities can showcase their talents, build meaningful careers, and lead fulfilling lives.
As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue growing, innovating, and making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey towards a more inclusive and empowering world for all.