Beyond Barriers: Advocacy in Action. Part 5
Last year, one individual we support, Yasin, celebrated ten years with Community Access Unlimited (CAU). At 33 years old, he is a gifted artist, writer and advocate. Yasin recently completed a memoir titled “Life is Not Roses” in which he bravely shared his story as a young person with disabilities, growing up in a challenging family environment. His memoir highlights the challenges he faced and insightful reflections on getting through difficult times and various other themes such as his experiences at the Special Olympics.
Having moved from a restrictive institutional setting to a positive community living situation that promotes his independence through CAU, Yasin has gained greater freedom to engage in advocacy activities and pursue his aspirations. He has served as a fierce advocate through the organization’s Helping Hands group to eliminate the derogatory “R” word and pushed for a policy change to allow youth aging out of foster care to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26. Yasin’s next goal is to secure his own apartment.
Yasin is inspired by Eric LeGrand, a Rutgers football player who became a motivational speaker after becoming paralyzed in an accident. Yasin bears great resemblances to the renowned LeGrand, channeling difficult situations into positive pursuits. Yasin is also an artist and one of his digital designs was placed on a t-shirt that reads “Don’t stare, ask” and encourages people to engage respectfully with individuals who use mobility devices. Yasin’s story is marked by resilience and highlights how a supportive community can help individuals overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
The people we serve are supported by our dedicated staff, who make meaningful contributions every day. One such team member is Jennifer Koelln, Director of Mental Health Services at Community Access Unlimited. Jennifer has presented at the NJAMHAA Conference and has been featured on The Women’s Roundtable Podcast, where she discussed the vital and increasingly recognized link between mental health and disability.
In the podcast episode, Jennifer highlighted the importance of addressing mental health among individuals with disabilities, sharing a powerful insight, “The statistics say between 50% and 60% of individuals who are diagnosed with a developmental or intellectual disability also have a co-occurring mental health disorder.” Her passion and expertise are evident through her work, as she continues to support individuals at CAU who experience mental health challenges.
Jennifer has been with the agency for six years, earning consistent praise for her compassion and ability to help individuals navigate any challenge they face. She exemplifies the excellence and dedication of our staff at CAU, all of whom are committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and youth at risk. Visit our website to learn more about our programs and services or explore how you can join our team and make a difference today!