Project SUCCESS
Participant Outcomes: Testimonials
During the project, we found changes in participant awareness, attitude and involvement. We observed an increase in communication skills among youth with disabilities and seen youth without disabilities open up. We watched friendships between youth with disabilities and youth without disabilities grow and flourish over time. Project SUCCESS youth have learned to value their team’s diversity and have created their own atmosphere of comfort and camaraderie. Participants are demonstrating a heightened sense of self-worth and team pride where individual strengths have overcome individual differences. Youth involved in Project SUCCESS have also come to understand the problems facing their community and, in response, have designed valuable service projects to tackle the critical issues. Just hear what participants and parents have to say!!
—Project SUCCESS has given me more respect for people who
are "different." The first thing I notice is not their disability and
what they can’t do, it’s what they can accomplish that really
counts. I realize now how much I would have missed out on had I
not joined Project SUCCESS. Personally, I feel that I get as much
out of our projects as the people we are helping. I have met some
of my closest friends through Project SUCCESS. The skills I’ve
learned, people I’ve met, experiences I’ve had, will last me a
lifetime. I wish everyone could have the experience of coming to
just one meeting, interacting with one person with a disability,
and they’ll see how much they’ve been missing!
—This is the only place where "normal" teenagers talk to Kelly
and listen to her ideas. At Project SUCCESS, Kelly experiences a
sense of belonging and contributing that she has nowhere else.
When I asked Kelly what she likes best about Project SUCCESS,
she said she likes "planning the things." That caught me by
surprise but then it made perfect sense. Any child with a disability
has so little control over what he/she does at school or afterwards
that the process of being involved in actually planning activities is
a wonderful experience. Beyond the planning stage, she is always
very motivated to follow-through on the completion of these
projects. The activities increased Kelly’s awareness of other
people’s needs. So, not only has Project SUCCESS been of great
benefit to her self-concept, it has also made her more aware of
other people. These are two incredible accomplishments.
—Matt’s most recent Individual Educational Program (IEP) was
the first report where he had reached his social goals. Thanks to
Project SUCCESS!
—The social benefits of the program stem from merely being able
to function much the same as children without disabilities.
Self-esteem from contributing towards projects that help others is
another direct social benefit our children have received from
Project SUCCESS. The program has provided a forum for
families of children with disabilities to participate in activities as a
family. This has been a unique experience for our children in that
this has been the first activity that they have been able to
participate in together and on equal footing. All of our children
have been enriched from the community interaction. They all have
a better sense of self-esteem for having been able to give to the
community.
—Due to the nature of Wyatt’s disability, he has great difficulty
with social skills and with group participation. He is rather shy
and constantly needs reassurance. Project SUCCESS has helped
him so much with all of these problems. He now actively
participates in the group’s community projects. For the first time
in his life, Wyatt feels that he is a productive member of his
community.
—Project SUCCESS not only has a positive impact on the youth,
but also impacts the lives of the adult volunteers, such as myself.
In addition to being a volunteer, I also have cerebral palsy.
Project SUCCESS has afforded me the opportunity to do what I
love – helping others and working with children with and without
disabilities. This program has given me a greater sense of hope
for the future because I see through the youth everyday that the
walls of difference that I experienced as a youth are quickly
being torn down. The differences are no longer the focus nor are
they a hindrance, as they once were. The similarities are in the
spotlight and are being celebrated. I cannot tell you what this
means to me.
—Joshua really feels like he is part of a team and has a lot of
fun being able to give his input in decision making and being
taken seriously. I think that he has always felt he could help
others, but this gives him an opportunity to do that. He feels like
part of a team and that is important.
—The process of researching, decision-making and planning a
project employs valuable skills that my son would not be able to
accomplish on his own. The variety of service projects offered
has taken him places and given him experiences he never would
have had. I especially like the fact that Project SUCCESS
educates youth about differences and provides a platform for true
partnership between those with and without disabilities. Please
know there are parents who so appreciate all of the work you
and your local affiliates have done to create such a unique
opportunity for our unique children who don’t fit existing
programs.
—The project has made my 14 year-old more aware of her
younger brother’s disability and more alert to what he may
achieve in the future. Working along-side the teens with
disabilities has also made her think about her future. She has
expressed interest in physical therapy as a future career. My wish
is that the project is still in existence when my 5 year old twins are old enough to participate.
—Besides learning about service, Project SUCCESS provides a
perfect opportunity for kids with disabilities to get out and meet
new friends and help out in the community. We sometimes forget
that people with disabilities can help too! This program teaches
them that they can do anything they set their heart to. I cannot
count the many smiles that we have put on the faces of the people we’ve helped. Anything that gives just one smile should be
considered successful and Project SUCCESS does this a
thousand fold. I personally thank Project SUCCESS for
everything that it has done and I hope that more organizations
can do what UCPA has done.
For more information on Project SUCCESS, contact:
- UCP
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800-872-5827
Fax: 202-776-0414
E-mail: national@ucp.org