Carlsbad, CA: Beacons, Inc., a Carlsbad-based nonprofit that supports individuals with disabilities, has been named as one of the top 5 finalists in the People’s Choice CBAD as “Nonprofit of the Year.” Winners will be announced at the CBAD Awards Luncheon on October 14, 2021 at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa.
Beacons, Inc. opened in 2018 in the Carlsbad business area near Palomar Airport to provide postsecondary vocational training, social events, and other options to meet the needs of north county residents. North County is home to approximately 13,000 individuals with disabilities, with over 6500 with development and/or intellectual disabilities who have an approximately 85% unemployment rate.
Beacons is open for in-person services once again. Social events are provided through its Club Beacons at least twice a month. During COVID-19, volunteers provided all social events for free via zoom for those isolated at home during the stay-at-home order by Governor Newsom. The success of the nonprofit’s PathFinder vocational training in the areas of creative design, customer service, entrepreneurial training and office skills resulted in state funding being allocated so that the programs are provided at no cost to eligible individuals. During COVID-19, Beacons, Inc. remained opened to provide uninterrupted social and vocational services to those it serves earning special recognition by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath in July 2021.
Later this month Beacons will be inviting local supporters to their Fall Family Fundraiser October 23rd, 5-9pm at Seaside center in Encinitas. There will be a DJ, dancing, games, live and silent auction items. “We are looking forward to this year’s Fall fundraiser event. The support Beacons receives at this event will help the organization continue their current programs and services as well as expand to meet the continuing needs of adults with disabilities.” Beacons Board President & Co-Founder, Mary Backer.
Beacons was founded by parents eager to provide more options in North County which has historically had fewer options than the southern part of the county to meet the needs of its disabled residents. Beacons is in the process of building a program “Navigator” to provide an extended postsecondary option to individuals after they leave their respective school districts. Navigator is expected to launch in 2022. Beacons, Inc. is a non-profit organization seeking to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their vision of success, with purpose and joy to the best of their ability by offering employment training programs and social opportunities in North San Diego.
For more information visit:
www.BeaconsNorthCounty.com
