Children, adults benefit from Las Cumbres Learning Services

"Children are resilient," is one lesson that Virgil Good, executive director of Las Cumbres Learning Services has come to embrace. However, Las Cumbres helps supply therapeutic and social intervention for children and families of those with developmental delays and other disabilities.

This help comes in the form of physical therapy, occupational therapy to support future employment, counseling, special equipment, speech therapy, case management and other services needed to help improve children's lives. United Way gave Las Cumbres Learning Services $55,000 last year so it could continue to provide these services.

According to Good, about 25 percent of the children assisted get to a point where they no longer need the services Las Cumbres provides. "Early intervention is sometimes key in helping these children overcome their difficulties and at times the resources required in the beginning can be considerable," Good said. "We don't give up because even if the children don't progress as quickly as other children due to the limits of their disabilities, we know that they can advance from where they are.

"Las Cumbres believes parents are the best experts for their children and helps to train and support and them so they can choose and access the best services for their children to move forward. United Way helps use do that," said Good.

While many people are aware of the work Las Cumbres does with children, adults too can make progress, said Good. For adults with disabilities, the organization's employment programs provide a way for clients to help support themselves financially - which helps build self esteem - as well as provide an opportunity for socialization that enhances their lives. "We all need to feel like we're a part of our families and communities and we want to ensure that all our clients have those types of opportunities," said Good.

Las Cumbres also offers residential-, supported- and assisted-living services. The supported-living program provides 24-hour supervision while participants learn skills that will allow them to live independently. Assisted-living participants, on the other hand, live on their own or with family members and learn to join in the community and make use of the resources already there as well as use the skills they already have, Good said.

Through last Friday, about $608,000 has been raised in pledges or donations in this year's Lab United Way fundraising campaign. The campaign is scheduled to end Friday. To read an all-employee memo about the campaign from Rich Marquez, associate director for administration, click here. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

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