Survey respondents provide insightful feedback for the year ahead!
Our organization’s mission is to champion inclusion and value for all people with disabilities through creative pathways to employment, education, and the arts. Throughout this edition, you will find powerful stories of success as we work to achieve this goal by developing a broad array of Workforce Development Programs, including competitively paid employment and professional volunteerism opportunities, College-to-Career Programs, Careers in the Arts Programs, and Individualized Support Services.
We are deeply committed to our values of person-centeredness, honesty, passion, respect, and full engagement. Our associates, families, and funders unanimously agree that they see these values in action throughout all we do. Take a look at the 2023 Satisfaction Survey Report on pages 4-5. We’re doing the work, but there is still so much more on the horizon.
First, we must continue to advocate for our services at the State level. California is expected to face ongoing revenue shortages over the next several years. We must stand together so that these shortages do not translate to cuts in our services. We must continuously act to ensure that delays in funding, or even potential cuts, remain far from those we support and their direct support workers. Second, it is important to continue forging new pathways to employment by expanding paid internships and direct hire opportunities. Tierra must lead the way to become an organization that can tout an 80% employment rate for all. Finally, we must continue to innovate new ideas, practices, and services to meet the diverse needs of our associates and their remarkable dreams while driving safety throughout all we do.
As always, thank you for your support. I hope you will continue to stand with us as we work to ensure that all people live productive and personally meaningful lives.
Rebecca Lienhard, EdD Chief Executive Officer
