Page 19 - MidWeek - July 6, 2022

JULY 6, 2022 MIDWEEK 19
Still Going Strong After 75 Years
FROM PAGE 14
been working with Nate for five years now, notes that he’s made significant im- provements since being in the program.
As CEO, Pettiford en- joys hearing success stories. While the organization and its participants continue to flourish, Pettiford encourag- es the community as a whole to keep inclusivity at top of mind.
Nate’s mother, Julie Sejal- bo, mentions her son can ar- ticulate and express himself, but that sometimes he slurs his words. Fuller’s sugges- tion? Reading.
“One of the ways that peo- ple can do this is to consider hiring individuals with dis- abilities,” Pettiford says.
Initially, Nate told Fuller that he preferred not to read. But after seeing other partic- ipants take pleasure in the task, he began to show inter- est, and now enjoys reading so much that he even volun- teers at a local preschool to read to keiki.
On that note, another area that Easterseals Hawaiʻi is assisting Nate in is career development and job place- ment.
At Easterseals Hawai‘i, everyone is treated like family. Pictured are (standing, from left) Jocelyn Sarmiento, direct support worker; Alexa Fuller, program manager; Joel Dizon, direct support worker Maria Kyi, direct support worker; and (sitting) program participants Derrick, Charlotte, Nate and Gareth. LAWRENCE TABUDLO PHOTO
(Top) Easterseals Hawai‘i promotes independence, community integration and social enrichment. Gareth (above, left) is seen grocery shopping at a local store, while Nate (above, right) prepares to lead a group activity for other program participants. PHOTOS COURTESY EASTERSEALS HAWAI‘I
many people as possible, the organization welcomes pub- lic donations. For its 75th anniversary, Easterseals Ha- waiʻi is fundraising to sup- port its adult programming. Donors can specify how they’ d like their contribu- tions to be used, whether it’s toward things like supplies for participants or even to- ward the construction of new spaces.
“That really helped him a lot because he’s challenged too, to read the three-syllable words,” says Julie.
“We don’t want to just up and find him a job, we want to help him find a career —something that he’s hap- py doing,” explains Fuller. “Once he lands a job, he will have employment services on the job to help him. As Nate becomes more confident and competent in the job, the employment services are designed to fade out so that he’s going to work without any type of support.”
She admits that if her son was with a different organi- zation, he likely would have been just another number — just another participant in the system. Instead, with Easter- seals Hawaiʻi, Nate is treated like family. Julie shares that she’s noticed how the orga- nization’s “personal touch” has helped her son thrive and that he even refers to Easter- seals Hawaiʻi as his “second home.”
“There’s a lot of oppor- tunity offered to him,” Julie says of her 33-year-old son. “It really is a very positive outcome for him.”
“We’re just glad that there’s this kind of service around here,” says Julie, an ʻEwa beach resident. “He really bloomed here. I’ m just glad that he came here five years ago. It was the best choice.”
One of the most satisfying aspects of Fuller’s job is wit- nessing the development that participants exhibit through time.
“It makes me feel very warm and it makes me feel very positive knowing that we make a positive impact in the lives of the people that we support,” Fuller adds. “But it’s not just us — it’s also Na- te’s determination, and I feel honored to work with him
“Seeing how much Nate has grown in the past few years — I feel happy that he has a more fulfilling life be- cause he has discovered that there are many more things that he can do. To see all of the participants become thriving members of their community is something that means a lot to me.”
of Easterseals Hawaiʻi, add- ing that he enjoys working with Fuller because, as Nate puts it, “she’s perfect.”
nated dollars can go to is technology,” Pettiford adds. “Sometimes we can do more and interesting things in the program with better tech- nology. It gives us some ca- pacity to explore additional service offerings.”
be part of that process,” Pet- tiford shares. “I get to really feel like I’m part of that and also able to be of service.”
19and with others like him.”
Just as Fuller has great things to say about Nate, he too, has a positive impression
With that said, to ensure Easterseals Hawaiʻi’s ser- vices are accessible to as
“Another thing that do-
“It is incredibly gratifying and humbling to be able to
Visit eastersealshawaii. org to learn more about the nonprofit.
The organization is able to provide its services at lit- tle to no cost to its program participants through funding from various sources such as private insurers and govern- ment agencies.
Maybe best of all, Easter- seals Hawaiʻi has created an environment where everyone feels like they belong.
Fuller agrees. “I feel hon- ored to work for a company that does so much good in the community. I appreciate having the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”
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