Anonymous
Source: Alpha Resource Center
On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, Kim Olson of Alpha Resource Center graciously accepted a check in the amount of $65,000 from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara to pay for a new wheelchair accessible van.
As Olson noted in her acceptance speech, “this vehicle provides more than just transportation, it creates opportunities for Alpha participants to explore the community, swim at the YMCA, go horseback riding, volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the animal shelter, work at the zoo and botanic garden, and foremost, be part of the natural fabric of our community and the opportunity to ‘give back’”.
With an aging fleet of vehicles that struggles to make the daily trips in the community, the grant from the Women’s Fund has come at a perfect time. Each month, Alpha participants and staff provide over 200 hours of community service at eight different organizations.
Part of Alpha Resource Center’s mission is to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be part of the community through volunteerism, work programs and recreation activities. Having a reliable van that can safely transport wheelchair-bound participants plays a key role in serving the mission of the organization. This grant ensures that each week ten more trips into the community become available for the participants, many of whom see these opportunities as the highlight of their week.
Since 2004, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara has donated more than $7.2 million to 102 local nonprofit programs impacting nearly 100,000 local women, children and families in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria. Alpha Resource Center is honored to be one of nine recipients receiving a grant from a pool of $585,000.
Alpha Resource Center empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Santa Barbara County by supporting families, creating opportunities and fostering belonging. For more information visit www.alphasb.org or call (805) 683-2145.
