At our Living Well Disability Services Transforming Lives Gala on August 15, we will showcase the annual Dreammaker Award winners. The winners will be celebrated for their hard work, building awareness for the disability community and using their voices as a platform for advocacy. Today we are happy to introduce GAP School, a program of Change Inc., our 2025 Community Partner Dreammaker winners.
Living Well Disability Services is proud to partner with GAP School and are grateful for their exceptional work in supporting youth and young adults in our area. This school serves approximately 200 individuals annually, ages 15-24, through a variety of educational, vocational, and social-enrichment programs. The school’s commitment to empowering their students by providing education, training, and emotional support has had a significant and positive impact on the lives of those it serves.
GAP School is not only dedicated to academic achievement but also focuses on practical training that leads to meaningful employment. Their efforts extend beyond the classroom, providing a well-rounded approach to student success that includes social and emotional support, helping students build essential life skills and confidence. Additionally, volunteering provides students with job previews, allowing them to explore potential career paths, develop hands-on skills, and better understand what types of work align with their interests and strengths. This real-world experience also helps students make informed decisions about their future educational and career goals.
GAP School has been a valuable partner with Living Well Disability Services since 2022. Since the beginning of our partnership Erika Ryan, GAP School’s Healthcare Pathway Manager, has been dedicated to ensuring students have interactions with people with disabilities so that they not only understand career opportunities but also, so they know how to advocate for people with disabilities at work and in the community.
The school has collaborated with Living Well to provide activities and engagement opportunities with the people we support including multiple bingo events and crafting parties. During partner activities students and individuals interact together while playing bingo cards, making holiday decorations, or petting animals like when the MN ZooMobile visted a few weeks ago. Students have also volunteered at our Family Fun Day event assisting with games for the past two years. These get togethers are mutual opportunities for both students and people supported to practice leadership skills and relationship building. The GAP healthcare pathway students regularly make personalized greeting cards for people we support. Including all group events, card making, and individual activities GAP School students have provided over 280 volunteer hours which equals many, many hours of fun and friendship!
Kathy Anderson, Volunteer Program Manager, says, “We love working with Erika and these students. Erika is passionate about developing opportunities and relationships so people can learn from each other while having fun. This partnership has helped Living Well Disability Services expand its mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities.”
Nate Altman, Recruitment Manager, says, “Over the past two years, we have had the privilege of hiring 10 students from GAP School, seven of whom are still thriving as members of the Living Well team. Five students are also volunteering regularly with people in our homes participating together in recreation activities and building rapport.”
By partnering with Living Well, GAP School students are getting a real-life job preview as they explore career options. Living Well benefits by having dedicated young professionals team up to learn more about the work and opportunities available to them. This is a mutually beneficial relationship built on respect, and we look forward to working with these talented students for a long time to come.
(The Community Partner Dreammaker award Honors an individual or organization whose work in the community has made a significant difference in the lives of the people we serve.)
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