The start of a new year often invites reflection. It is a time to look back with gratitude and to look ahead with intention. At Easterseals Crossroads, we approach the new year not with grand resolutions, but with a renewed commitment to the work we have always believed in.

Our mission remains simple and meaningful. We support people with disabilities and their families as they build independence, confidence, and connection. That work does not change with the calendar. What changes is our opportunity to show up each day with fresh energy and continued care.

In the year ahead, we resolve to keep listening. Every individual we serve has a unique story, and we want to continue learning from those experiences. Listening helps us provide support that is thoughtful, respectful, and centered on real needs.

We also resolve to keep strengthening our community. Whether it is through employment services, therapy, assistive technology, inclusive programs, or everyday moments of connection, community is at the heart of everything we do. Progress often happens quietly, one relationship and one step at a time.

We resolve to keep supporting our families and caregivers. Their trust means everything to us, and we know the journey is not always easy. Being a consistent partner and source of encouragement matters more than any promise of change.

Finally, we resolve to care for our staff. Their compassion, creativity, and dedication make our mission possible. Supporting them allows them to continue supporting others with purpose and heart.

As we move into the new year, we are grateful for the community that surrounds Easterseals Crossroads. Together, we will continue doing the work that matters, one day at a time.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

As we look back on the year, one word rises above the rest: thankful. At Easterseals Crossroads, gratitude is not something we express only during the holiday season. It is woven into who we are because we are surrounded every day by people who help make our mission possible. This season gives us the chance to slow down, take a breath, and reflect on the many individuals and groups that strengthen our community in meaningful ways.

Thankful for Our Community

Our community is the heart of everything we do. Every program, every service, every celebration, and every moment of growth is rooted in the people who walk through our doors. We are grateful for individuals of all abilities who trust us with their goals, their challenges, and their dreams. They inspire us daily with their resilience, their humor, and their willingness to step forward toward something new. Their journeys are our purpose.

Thankful for Our Partners

We are proud to work alongside organizations, agencies, schools, and businesses that share our belief in possibility. Whether they help expand access to services, provide expertise, or open new pathways for connection, our partners lift our work far beyond what we could accomplish alone. They help us innovate. They help us grow. They help us say “yes” more often. For all of this, and so much more, we are deeply grateful.

Thankful for Our Donors

To our donors: thank you for choosing to invest in people. Your generosity fuels progress and opens doors that once felt out of reach. Because of you, children are gaining confidence in therapy, adults are finding employment, families are discovering hope, and individuals are building more independent lives. You are proof that community care is powerful. Your support is not just a contribution. It is a gift of opportunity.

Thankful for Our Staff

The heartbeat of Easterseals Crossroads is our staff. They show up with compassion, creativity, and determination, ready to walk alongside every person we serve. They celebrate victories, big and small. They solve problems, lift spirits, and make our spaces welcoming. Their commitment shapes the lives of those they serve, and their belief in inclusion and possibility strengthens our entire community. We are proud to have a team that leads with heart.

Moving Forward With Gratitude

Thankfulness is more than a feeling. It is a reminder of how far we have come and how much more we can do together. Our community, partners, donors, and staff each play a vital role in advancing Ability and Beyond throughout central Indiana.

As we move into a new year, we remain grounded in gratitude and energized by the work ahead. Together, we are creating a stronger, more inclusive community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for being part of our mission. We are grateful for you today and every day.

“I’m sure that guy’s dead,” a man told the operator when he called in Gary’s accident. It was 8.8.88, a date Gary will never forget. The accident left him with a diffused axonal injury. His brain was twisted inside his skull.

After a long stay in the critical care unit, including some time in a coma, Gary was released and ready to get back to work as an occupational therapist. He knew something wasn’t right, but he faked being fine for as long as he could.

“I was not going to admit I was wrong, or that I needed help,” Gary says. “I ended up getting fired three different times.”

Family talked Gary into applying for disability, which he was on until he was 66 and a half years old. Then, he could get a job, something he was very excited about doing. To help with the process, he connected with Easterseals Crossroads Brain Injury Services and began working with Jade Cooper, a Resource Facilitator.

Jade assisted Gary in putting his resume together and finding a job he would enjoy. He really wanted to work at one of the state parks.

“I thought, well, I can’t pick up trash, because I can’t walk that far without help,” he says. “I thought, well, I could sit in one of those little wooden boxes at the front of the park.”

Sure enough, that’s exactly the job Gary applied for, and after a trial period, he was hired at Mississinewa Lake.

“I noticed the biggest change after he started this job,” Jade says. “His confidence really grew. In a lot of ways, I think he finally realized how capable he really was.”

Without Easterseals Crossroads, Gary says his life would be depressing. “I owe them a lot. I think they believed in me, and that means a lot.”

Gary’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, healing and hope are possible, even after a life-changing injury. Easterseals Crossroads Brain Injury Services helped him rebuild his confidence, find meaningful employment, and rediscover his purpose.

💛 Your gift can help more people like Gary find their path forward. Donate today!

Every summer, children across America experience the joys of summer camp, but for some, the traditional camp experience just isn’t possible. Beginning each summer in June, Easterseals Crossroads has six weeks of summer camps for individuals with disabilities, giving them unforgettable experiences.

“We’ve had several families that have said they’ve tried other camps,” says Joe Mattingly, Camps and Respite Manager. “Those other camps cannot meet the needs of their children with disabilities. What we’re doing here is making sure we meet their needs and that they get the same great summer camp experience as other children.”

While other camps might not have the staff support, Easterseals Crossroads has specialized and trained staff to meet the needs of the campers, whatever his or her disability might be.

Camp ROCKS takes place at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Indiana, and is for young people with autism who are 10-18 years old. It is an overnight camp for five nights and six days and includes science exploration, swimming, nature hikes, art classes, and more.

Autism Resource Specialist Jaylen Weir says campers are often shy at the start of camp week, but as the week goes on, they are more confident in their abilities and social skills.

“Camp ROCKS is important because it helps kids with social skills, and it also allows them to be independent from their parents,” Jaylen says. “A lot of them haven’t ever been away from their parents, so this is a huge opportunity to be able to experience that, and then the parents get a little bit of respite as well.”

John Kelley, Director of iCan Bike, leads a team of volunteers in teaching individuals with disabilities to ride bicycles. The one-week intensive camp has an 80% success rate of campers who can ride on a standard two-wheel bike on their own by the end of the week. Not only is it a celebratory moment for the person on the bike, but their family members as well, as many come out to watch their loved one ride a bike on their own on the Friday of camp week.

“Mom is usually in tears, and parents are high-fiving volunteers,” John says. “It’s a pretty special experience to see that.

CampABILITY, Camp FUEL, Camp MODE, and Camp Quest are Easterseals Crossroads’ other traditional day camps, filled with on-site experiences as well as field trips. Campers can experience things like dancing, therapeutic horseback riding, going to the swimming pool, and more. Joe says every kid loves to have fun during the summer, and these camps provide that experience, giving each one memories to treasure.

“Parents know that their child is doing something fun and unique,” Joe says. “They are very appreciative, just smiles and thank you’s all the time, and families who say they’re ready to sign up again for next summer.”

From learning to ride a bike to building confidence at overnight camp, Easterseals Crossroads summer programs give children of all abilities the chance to explore, grow, and make unforgettable memories. These life-changing experiences are only possible because of supporters like you.

💛 Help us continue providing inclusive, empowering summer camps for every child. Donate today!

Two years ago, when Janey’s two-year-old son Dominic was diagnosed with autism, she sat in a room at Easterseals Crossroads and cried many, many tears.

“I was so scared, because it was so new to me,” Janey says. “How is the world going to treat him? Is he ever going to talk? It was really hard to accept at first.”

Now, Janey wouldn’t change a thing. Easterseals Crossroads’ Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) services have had a profound impact on Dominic’s life. Janey says that although she was scared, the staff made her feel comfortable and confident in the program.

Dominic receives ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and has graduated from physical therapy. Whenever they arrive at Easterseals Crossroads, he runs to the elevators, ready for the day.

“He absolutely loves coming here,” Janey says. “I think his favorite thing about coming here is the Sensory Room. He loves the bubble tubes in there.”

Jen Ward, ABA Coordinator, says when Dominic started the program, he had very few skills, and one of his greatest challenges was communication. Staff worked with Dominic using pictures to communicate.

“Having so few skills, we didn’t know how quickly he would pick it up,” Jen says, “but he picked it up so quickly. It’s been amazing to see how quickly he could pick up a skill and communicate his needs. He had never been able to do that.”

Now, Dominic communicates using an AAC device, a communication device that allows him to point at different pictures to show what he wants or needs.

“I feel really great about his progress,” Janey says. “He is doing so much better with communicating and interacting with other children.”

Dominic’s success has required commitment beyond the Easterseals Crossroad’s staff.

“(Janey) was really motivated because she saw the progress,” Jen says. “She started working with him at home from what she had learned here.”

Parents are required to attend training sessions to learn the basic skills of ABA, and Ward says Janey has always been eager to learn. That, and the entire family being on board, has been imperative to Dominic’s success.

“It’s not just the person with autism that we’re serving,” Jen says. “The entire family has to be involved.”

When Jen looks back at where Dominic was two years ago, she’s amazed at his progress.

“He went from not communicating at all and not having any independence, to now being able to have back-and-forth conversations with someone through the use of an AAC device,” Jen says. “It’s just great to see how quickly a child can grow.”

And there’s more growth to come. Janey can’t wait to see what’s in store for Dominic’s future.

“I hope he achieves every goal he ever has,” she says. “I know that he’s had a lot of obstacles in his way, but I hope if he wants to be an artist, or a nurse, or a doctor, or a police officer, that he can do that and follow his dreams.”

Dominic’s journey shows the incredible impact that early services, dedicated staff, and engaged families can have on a child’s future. With the right support, children of all abilities can grow, communicate, and confidently follow their dreams, just like Dominic.

💛 Your generosity helps make stories like his possible. Support life-changing services for children and families. Donate today!

Tammy unpacked her lunch bag and put her ravioli in the microwave. She set the time, and while she waited, she put in a load of laundry. Those actions are just a few of the ways Tammy has become more independent thanks to the Easterseals Crossroads Adult Day program. She even recently moved out of her mother’s house.

“I have seen her confidence skyrocket,” says Breann Riley, Activity Lead and DSP.

For more than two decades, Tammy has been attending Easterseals Crossroads’ Adult Day program at the south location. The program is for adults with disabilities, and it also gives family members and caregivers some respite. However, the program is not an adult daycare service.

“A lot of people have that misconception, that it’s daycare for adults,” Breann says. “That’s far from the truth. We do so many things to make their lives meaningful. They volunteer in the community, they go places, they learn new skills, improve social skills, and we even have clubs for things like photography, cooking, and reading.”

Tammy has taken full advantage of her time in the program, especially when it comes to volunteering. For two years, she’s been volunteering at Calvary Lutheran, working with Kindergarteners, helping with learning activities, and playing. Tammy also took an online training course to become a certified volunteer at Nine Lives Cat Cafe.

The Adult Day program is more than just a place to be. It’s helping people, like Tammy, find true independence.

The Easterseals Crossroads Adult Day program is more than a place to go; it’s a community that fosters confidence, purpose, and independence for adults like Tammy. Your support helps create opportunities for skill-building, volunteering, friendship, and meaningful growth every single day.

💛 Help empower more individuals on their journey toward independence. Donate today!

“I would be stuck, and I’d probably be one grouchy woman,” says Dosia, who found fulfilling employment through Easterseals Crossroads Pathways to Opportunity program. Everything she tried before wasn’t getting her anywhere, and as a deaf person, she struggled to find good employment.

“When I met Jessica at Easterseals Crossroads, everything was immediate,” she says. “We just kept rolling through, and we didn’t waste any time. I really appreciated that.”

Jessica Mawby is Dosia’s Career Navigator, and the two have formed a close bond throughout the Pathways process. Dosia says Jessica has been very patient in helping her find employment in Health Information Management at Community Health Network. Dosia handles confidential patient information for many different hospitals around the city.

“I’ve learned a lot, and I’m still learning,” Dosia says. “The patient information is very important, so when they’re giving it to me, I have to be very careful and file it properly in the system.”

One thing that helped Dosia succeed is Digital Literacy Training. Jessica says she has improved a lot of her skills and is now thriving and happy with her work.

“She’s an inspiration to be around, an overall incredible human,” Jessica says.

Easterseals Crossroads has also helped Dosia via the Assistive Technology Department. She was provided with a laptop and checked out some helpful devices.

“Easterseals Crossroads has a wonderful program that works and helps people thrive and become fully independent,” Jessica says. “We really do provide ability and beyond.”

Stories like Dosia’s remind us why our work matters. With the right support, individuals of all abilities can find meaningful employment, build confidence, and achieve true independence.

💛 Your generosity makes journeys like hers possible. Support more success stories — donate today!

The lights are low, and the computer and television screens are glowing. A group is playing Mario Kart, while others cheer them on. Across the room, people are playing a board game, and yet others are taking a break from gaming to have a snack. It’s the second Wednesday of the month, and the gaming studio at Easterseals Crossroads is full of activity.

“ES Gaming Indy is an initiative that brings together gamers of all abilities, with and without disabilities,” says Brandon Scott, head of ES Gaming Indy. “Everybody comes in and enjoys themselves.”

ES Gaming Indy gives individuals living with disabilities the opportunity to connect with others to enhance a sense of belonging and provide a range of emotional and mental benefits.

“Through gaming, I was able to find community,” says Abigail, who has attended some gaming nights at Easterseals Crossroads. Due to her disability, she struggled to feel like she fit in when she was younger. Gaming was an avenue to build her confidence.

The current space for ES Gaming Indy has PC games, console games, a retro arcade area, as well as a designated space for tabletop games.

The Easterseals Crossroads Assistive Technology department has a loan library with a plethora of devices to make gaming more accessible for those who need it. Josh Anderson, Director of Assistive Technology, says the controllers are impressive, and many can be modified to assist with several disabilities to make gaming more accessible.

“Just as you would buy something off a website, you can request to loan one of our devices,” Josh says. “People can borrow them from our library, try them out at home to see if they work to help them game just like anyone else would.”

ES Gaming Indy is looking to break down barriers in the gaming world and bring people of all abilities together. Brandon calls gaming the “great equalizer,” saying that all that matters is a love for gaming. Through gaming, Easterseals Crossroads is seeing the many benefits it brings to those who participate.

“We have seen massive growth from individuals,” Brandon says. “They come in and are conversing with friends and showing new people around the studio. We have seen some extreme growth from people who were coming in and just sitting in the corner, who are now saying hello to everyone and making friends. That is the community that gaming builds.”

At ES Gaming Indy, we’re breaking down barriers, building friendships, and creating a space where people of all abilities can truly belong. Your support makes this possible — and keeps our inclusive gaming community growing.

💛 Help empower more gamers of all abilities. Donate today!

As a teenager, Rodney wasn’t excited about the idea of joining the United States Army, but he did it anyway. Now, many years later, he looks back and sees that the discipline and consistency it brought to his life were truly a blessing. After serving in the military, Rodney moved to Arizona. However, Indianapolis was his home, and he recently came back after decades across the country. He had the drive to find a career and housing, but needed a little extra help.

“I had heard of Easterseals, but I thought it mainly pertained to youth,” Rodney says. “I never knew they had a veteran department.”

Easterseals Crossroads Veteran Services had a huge impact on Rodney’s transition back to his home state. He’s been working with Troy Drake, Lead Career Coach, to get his feet on the ground. Troy helped Rodney secure a full-time security guard job.

“It was really his drive,” Troy says. “His work ethic, his eagerness to get settled in a new city. He came ready to go, focused, and we made a plan.”

Rodney’s aspirations go far beyond working a full-time job as a security guard. He is working to open his own barber shop and, even more importantly, wants to make a difference in his community.

“Hopefully, I can continue to work with Easterseals Crossroads and use the resources they provide to position myself where we all can come together as a community and make Indianapolis a lot better,” Rodney says.

Troy says Rodney is a true success story for Veteran Services.

“Rodney is one of the many blessings to come through the program,” Troy says. “Some people stress out when they move to a new city and don’t know how to access resources for veterans. Working with Rodney has been very fulfilling. He’s definitely a success story.”

Allison Friedman was about to give up on her filmmaking dreams. During the pandemic, there were few opportunities for Deaf and disabled talent. Then, she discovered the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, and it reignited her passion.

Friedman grew up near Chicago and had a passion for acting as a young girl. In middle school, she began acting and dancing at the International Center on Deafness and the Arts. Now, a resident of Indianapolis, her film Erased was selected as a finalist for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. From pausing filming for a tornado warning, to traveling to Hollywood for the awards ceremony, it’s been quite an adventure for Friedman and her team.

“The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is based in Los Angeles, and even though I’m from Indianapolis, I was able to make my dreams come true in another state — that means so much to me,” Friedman says. “I’ve been blessed to meet so many talented artists through this journey. And now, with Erased being screened at the Heartland Film Festival, it feels like everything has come full circle. I’m beyond grateful and excited for what’s ahead!”

Q&A with Allison Friedman (AF)

What is Erased about?
AF: Erased explores what the world would look like if sign language were banned. Sadly, sign language was actually banned in the past, so the film is a reminder of how important it is to embrace, protect, and celebrate our language and culture.

Where did you film, and what was it like filming?
AF: We filmed Erased in Indianapolis, and wow — it was quite an adventure! We stayed up from around 3 or 4 p.m. until 6 a.m. filming. Then, the next day, we had to miss an entire day of shooting because of the weather — there was even a tornado warning! We had to make last-minute changes, but we pulled through and made it happen. It was exhausting but so worth it — I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished together.

Tell us a bit about your cast and crew.
AF: I was so lucky to work with Sarah and Aaron Margolis-Greenbaum for the third time — they’re amazing filmmakers and owners of Naptown Films, a Deaf-owned production company based in Indianapolis. I met Sarah in college, and I’m so grateful for our ongoing collaboration and friendship.

I also worked with another talented Deaf filmmaker, Rydrea Walker, who owns WarriorsGate Entertainment, another Deaf-owned production company. He was also part of a major ASL film production called Jesus Film.

Our entire cast and crew were Deaf, and most were from the Indianapolis area. It was such a beautiful, empowering experience to collaborate with an all-Deaf team.

What was it like going to Hollywood for the awards ceremony?
AF: It was a dream come true. Honestly, I had goosebumps — I couldn’t believe I was there! The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge ceremony was held at Sony Studios, and I even met a Hollywood director who told me I was talented and on his list. I was fangirling so hard!

As a Deaf actor, being in that space made me feel seen and inspired. It reminded me that my biggest dream — to act and one day win an Oscar — is possible. The experience fueled my motivation to keep growing and dreaming even bigger.

Why do you think the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is important?
AF: It’s incredibly important because it gives disabled creatives a safe and empowering space to share our stories. We are often overlooked in the industry, and this challenge creates a bridge for us to collaborate, be visible, and be celebrated. It takes a village to make something meaningful, and Easterseals helps us find that village. It’s boosted my confidence and career as a Deaf filmmaker and showed me that representation truly matters.

What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers who are Deaf or have another disability?
AF: Keep dreaming big and find your community — that’s where you’ll grow and thrive. Don’t be afraid to start your own project. Someone once told me, “Create your own opportunity,” and that stuck with me. Be consistent, trust your vision, and never underestimate the power of your story. The world needs your perspective, so keep showing up and believe that anything is possible!