7 Disability-Empowerment Nonprofits To Know
These nonprofit organizations — nominated by BECU members during our annual People Helping People Awards —serve, advocate for and partner with people with disabilities.
Every year in July, many cities and states across the U.S. observe Disability Pride Month, which celebrates people with disabilities, promotes disability culture and visibility and commemorates the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.
In honor of Disability Pride Month, we're highlighting organizations offering remarkable services and programs that advocate for and partner with people with disabilities. We hope you'll learn more about their important work and consider volunteering time or giving donations to further their goals.
These nonprofit organizations have been recipients of BECU's People Helping People Awards the past two years. Each one was nominated by BECU members for their change-making and exceptional work within the communities BECU serves.
Each year, BECU's People Helping People Awards provide grant funding to nonprofits working to fulfill their vital missions with awards ranging from $15,000 Community Benefit Grants to the $50,000 Member Volunteer of the Year Award.
In 2024, four organizations working with people with disabilities were selected by a panel of judges and awarded $15,000.
Bridge of Promise
Bridge of Promise offers recreation and community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). About 200 adults are served every week across the greater Seattle area.
Many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities no longer have access to recreation and community after aging out of the school system.
So, Bridge of Promise's peer community programs fill social needs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Offerings include adaptive recreational experiences like kayaking, skiing and biking, cooking and music classes, and trips to zoos, museums, parks and local attractions.
Members typically attend weekly programs with the same peer group to encourage long-lasting friendships and connections. Trained staff provide full personal care, including toileting, clothing changes, feeding and medication administration.
"At Bridge of Promise, we believe that every person deserves a life filled with friendship, fun and belonging," said Bridge of Promise Executive Director Jodi Richey. "Thanks to the BECU People Helping People Award, we've been able to extend our reach and bring meaningful opportunities to even more members of the IDD community."
Support Bridge of Promise.
Courageous Connections
In Snohomish County, Courageous Connections promotes physical and emotional growth through therapeutic outdoor experiences, including interactions with horses and other domesticated animals.
"Approximately 40% of our participants of all ages have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder," said Sue Eulau, President of the Courageous Connections Board. "We also have participants with diagnoses of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), anxiety disorder and cognitive issues such as fetal alcohol syndrome."
The organization's programs aren't riding classes. Instead, group and individual experiences focus on mental and emotional health, life skills and behavior regulation by working beside and developing a relationship with horses.
Courageous Connections also hosts workshops for organizations working with domestic violence survivors, people with cancer or in hospice care, and children entering foster care or in the juvenile justice system.
"We also have a large garden that we are developing and have begun a partnership with Sherwood and Compass Health to organize having adults with disabilities come to the farm to volunteer with garden chores," Eulau said. "The produce we raise is being donated to the Lake Stevens Food Bank."
Support Courageous Connections.
The Here & Now Project
Also a Community Benefit Award Winner, The Here & Now Project has a mission to connect and empower the Pacific Northwest's spinal cord injury and mobility disability community.
The Here & Now Project offers hospital outreach to the newly paralyzed and their families, monthly social groups, community activities and large annual gatherings. Among the organization's programs are:
- Care Pack: The package's snacks, small gifts and other swag make hospital life more comfortable, and also contains valuable information about transition-easing local and national resources.
- Meetings and forums: In-person and virtual social meetings connect people with mobility disabilities to find candid peer support, learn about new or practical solutions, hear panel discussions and listen to guest speakers.
- Activities: A calendar of events includes barbecues, hiking, dancing, bowling, adaptive pickleball games and more.
- Innovative technology: The Here & Now Project designed an innovative water bottle allowing users with various abilities to stay hydrated and independent.
"Every hospital visit and community event reduces unnecessary barriers that can lead to isolation for people living with mobility disabilities and their families. We're connecting them with a vibrant community made up of peers," said Here & Now Project Cofounder and Executive Director Kenny Salvini.
Support the Here & Now Project.
Seattle Special Education PTSA
Seattle Special Education PTSA is composed of families and other caregivers, students and educators who advocate for students with disabilities — whether they are formally identified — in the Seattle School District.
Parent education and meetings are key offerings. Seattle Special Education PTSA hosts events to welcome families new to the district and connect with one another, support group meetups and educational programs with expert presenters.
Monthly general membership meetings (open to everyone) feature guest speakers, including medical providers like occupational therapists, education consultants, literacy experts and state-level educational staff.
"Families and educators alike consistently report that these sessions provide invaluable knowledge," said Jana Parker, president of Seattle Special Education PTSA. "Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging and support."
The organization advocates for policies at various levels, ranging from the school district to the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to Washington state legislators. An annual legislative advocacy workshop helps demystify state-level legislative advocacy for the community.
"Inclusionary practices make sure every student, including those with disabilities, gets the support they need to learn and take part in all parts of school and feel that they belong," Parker said. "This includes learning alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms, participation in field trips, recess and after-school activities, and more."
Support Seattle Special Education PTSA.
In 2023, three critical organizations empowering people with disabilities received People Helping People Awards:
Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange
Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange is named in honor of the founders' daughter Emma, who passed away in January 2021 and inspired the program.
The program's equipment exchange offers an active Facebook group and Washington-wide locations for dropping off usable, safe medical equipment and supplies no longer needed. The Exchange then finds a home for equipment and supplies within the disability community at no cost to the individuals. Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange also offers stuffed animals to children who've lost a sibling in the past year.
The program now reaches families all over Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and more. On average, 10 to 15 families seek medical equipment and supplies from the program each week, and more than 70 families attend bi-yearly events.
"With the help of funding from BECU, we were able to host a Dec.14, 2024, Christmas party for our disability community," said Andrea Graham, founder of Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange.
At the party, the Exchange gave away switch-adapted toys and games. These toys often have larger external switches that can be tapped, allowing users with physical disabilities to activate toys. The toys are also often "too expensive" for families to purchase on their own, Graham noted. In December 2025, Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange will host another party, with a goal of giving away at least 150 switch-adapted toys.
"This is our family's 'heart work,'" Graham said. "When we all come together and share the resources we have, smiles appear, hope grows, and a community is made better."
Cares of Washington
Seattle-based Cares of Washington received the Employees' Choice Award of $30,000, selected by popular vote from BECU employees.
The non-profit has supported and served more than 13,000 individuals with disabilities and low incomes to realize their purpose, potential and strength, and connects clients to employment and basic resources. Around 70% of clients live with at least one disability.
Through long-term programs tailored to each person, Cares' coaches help with job searches and placement, among other services.
Coaches work with clients to complete job applications, create resumes and practice mock interviews. Independent living services help people learn how to manage disability issues that get in the way of work, including transportation use, time management and money management skills.
The results are dramatic — 67% of people receiving employment services gained permanent employment, while 90% of those receiving employment services retain their jobs.
Support Cares of Washington.
Whatcom Center for Early Learning
Whatcom Center for Early Learning received a $15,000 Community Benefit Award from BECU. This center provides therapy and support services to children experiencing developmental delays and disabilities.
At three Whatcom County locations, Whatcom Center for Early Learning programs run the gamut from toddler and parent-child play-based groups to services including evaluations and therapy for speech, nutrition and physical development.
More than 5,000 Early Support visits were documented in 2024, benefiting hundreds of families with child development and caregiver empowerment. As a result, 90% of Early Support services families reported that Whatcom Center for Early Learning helped their child develop and grow, according to the center's most recent annual report.
Executive Director, Sierra James, said: "85% of the adult brain is formed by the third birthday, thus early support is vital and can make the biggest difference in the long-term trajectory of a child's life. If you have any concerns about a child in your life, don't wait, call your local Early Support for Infants and Toddlers provider. You don't need a doctor's referral, and providers exist statewide."
Support Whatcom Center for Early Learning's Changemaker program.
While our 2025 People Helping People Awards nomination window has closed, check back with us this October to view the 2025 finalists and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.
The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized financial, tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation when making financial, legal, tax, investment, or any other business and professional decisions that affect you and/or your business.
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Lora Shinn
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