Selby Foundation Improves Outcomes for Easterseals Adults

 Easterseals Southwest Florida has been awarded a substantial and generous capital grant from The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.  The Selby Foundation has made a significant impact on the lives of persons served at Easterseals Happiness House, thousands of people in the greater Sarasota Community, and on operations of hundreds of charitable organizations in Sarasota.  In addition to the Selby grant, Easterseals received match funding from The Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation, The Harry Sudakoff Foundation, The James Doss Foundation, Bayside Community Church, and in-kind donations from Air & Energy.  The grant and matching funds have provided a modern gait training system, dynamic equipment for muscle development and balance, therapy tables, storage, and a media center to provide complementary instruction, motivation and entertainment during therapy sessions. Four bathrooms have been renovated and outfitted with new y-shaped body support lifts.  Safe, hospital-grade flooring, fresh paint and new window coverings have refreshed the rooms where adult participants attend Easterseals Life Skills Development Program. One of the first users of the new gait training system was an adult client whose mother shed tears as her son took his first steps toward her.  After primarily utilizing a wheel chair throughout his life and despite the great effort needed to take those first steps, the man flashed a bright smile in response to his latest achievement.   For 73 years, Easterseals Happiness House has provided exceptional human service programs leading to increased independence.  The organization and its staff are leading the way for those with disabilities through comprehensive programs including early intervention, therapeutic, early childhood, adult, behavioral, family support and educational services.  Easterseals Happiness House provides resources and support to over 1250 children and adults with disabilities, their families, and the communities of the Gulf Coast Region. Vice President of Programs, Jacque Ruch explained, “This new equipment, physical therapy space and facility improvements have made a significant impact on the physical and mental well being of the adults that rely on Easterseals for adult day programs and therapy services.  We are thrilled to see our clients achieve greater health and outcomes as a direct result of this funding.”