The nonprofit Triumph Foundation is now providing employment assistance for people with spinal cord injuries and paralysis, the fourth critical piece of the Foundation’s “Circle of Care.”

The first piece is immediate support for newly injured; the second is securing grants and needed special equipment; third is adaptive recreation; and lastly, employment assistance for those able to return to work.

Here’s more from Triumph Foundation Executive Director Andrew Skinner about employment assistance and how to apply for the Foundation’s $5,000 Employment Achievement Award by the May 10 deadline:

Moving Forward with Employment

When we think about our outreach, our goal is to help people from the beginning of their journey, through the ups and downs, and to give them the fuel they need to be productive and find themselves again.

That’s why we help people pursue their dreams through our Employment Assistance Program, the fourth piece of Triumph’s “Circle of Care.”

Back to Normal?

Let me talk for a minute about how this program relates to the COVID-19 situation. For most of us, we see this crisis as something to fix. We look to government or the medical community to set us free so we can go back to life as usual. Right?

But when this crisis is over, we probably won’t go “back to normal.” The world will be forever changed. This is truly a new beginning.

People like you and I, however, have an advantage. Due to our own personal experiences with trauma, we should understand this reality instinctively. Many of us have experienced a traumatic event that demonstrated how fragile “normal life” really is.

But did our story end with our adversity? NO. Did life return to the old normal? NO WAY!! We had to adjust. We had to keep moving forward. We had to reinvent ourselves.

We’ve proven to ourselves that we can endure. We can do this!

Your Road to Reinvention

Whether you have a disability or if you’re a supporting family member, whether you are a donor, volunteer, or ambassador, we are rooting for you on your road to reinvention.

As we enter a post-Coronavirus world, you get another chance to re-invent yourself. This could be a golden opportunity to pursue your dreams in a whole new way!

If you have SCI, Triumph’s Employment Achievement Award might just be your ticket! We provide career coaching and financial assistance to help you return to work or increase workplace success. The goal is to help you excel as a productive member of the community.

Below, we’re highlighting one of our award recipients and give you details on how you can get help to make your dreams come true.

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Employment Achievement Award Recipient

Jessica Brito of Take Control Therapy. | Courtesy photo.

Triumph is proud to announce a new recipient of our Employment Achievement Award: Jessica Brito.

Jessica has long been a leader in our SCI community as a peer mentor. She has been working in the field of mental health since 2014 helping a diverse population.

Jessica recently became a licensed clinical social worker and desired to start her own private practice specializing in life transitions. With the Employment Achievement Award, Triumph helped her establish her LLC with the state and provided some of her necessary start-up costs.

Jessica provides people with coping strategies to live in the present while being mindful of the future and accepting of the past. We’re proud to refer people to her new business, helping even more people triumph over their personal obstacles.

For more information visit her website, TakeControlTherapy.com.

YOU COULD BE NEXT

Need help with your employment goals? Apply for our Employment Achievement Award.

Triumph provides one-on-one career coaching and will award up to $5,000 to help someone within our SCI community with their vocational pursuits.

Funding can be used to help you obtain a job, achieve more success at your current employment, or start an entrepreneurial venture.

We want to be a job creator, helping you put your talents to work, to pursue your dreams, get off government assistance, and contribute to the community.

Click here for more information on how you can apply.

Application submissions are due May 10.

GIVING TUESDAY

This Tuesday, May 5 is #GivingTuesdayNow, an emergency response to support local nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the economic downturn, some of our most generous supporters are unable to help with a significant gift this year.

We could use your support now more than ever. If you’re in a position to give, please consider donating whatever amount you can.

We rely on your generosity to help people like Jessica achieve their dreams.

We are so thankful for you!

To donate, click here.