Disability Film Challenge
Promoted by Easterseals Southern California, the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge gives filmmakers – with and without disabilities – the opportunity to collaborate and tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms. This in turn supports Easterseals’ goal to change the way the world defines and views disability so that everyone can reach his or her full potential.
The film challenge is a weekend-long filmmaking contest, open to all, that provides a platform for new voices in the entertainment industry. Each year, aspiring storytellers are prompted to creatively write, produce and complete a short film. Challenge winners receive invaluable access to entertainment professionals, opening the door to an industry notoriously difficult to enter.
History of the Disability Film Challenge
Actor Nic Novicki launched the Disability Film Challenge in 2014 in response to seeing disabilities underrepresented both in front of and behind the camera. As someone with a disability, Nic created the challenge to give aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work and provide them with meaningful exposure.
In 2017, Nic and Easterseals Southern California joined forces to expand the challenge, now known as the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. As the leading nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, Easterseals brings additional attention to the challenge, using its numerous communications channels to encourage participation.
Since the challenge launched, aspiring filmmakers from around the world have created more than 150 films, which have been viewed online and at festivals including the HollyShorts Film Festival.
Registration ends on April 11, 2018; visit www.disabilityfilmchallenge.com to register or to learn more about this event.
Celebrate Ability
Celebrate Ability | Saturday, March 24, 2018
Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 West Washington Street
Presented by Community Health Network, Celebrate Ability promises to be a premiere fundraising event. We take this evening to recognize the collective accomplishments of the 7,250 individuals whom we served during the year. We do this by creating awareness of our agency and the community’s need for our services during this signature event.
Join us for an amazing fundraising evening with cocktails and a terrific dinner; an art auction; a dessert buffet with live music from national recording artist Jon McLaughlin; and our guest speaker, Kat Muir, who will entertain the audience with her personal experiences living with autism.
Sponsorships, tables and individual seats are available now; contact us for information.
About Jon McLaughlin
Everything in Jon McLaughlin’s life makes its way into his music, whether he’s conscious of it or not. The artist, raised in Indiana and based in Nashville, brings all of his experiences and beliefs into each song he creates, something that is especially true now that he’s
the father of two young girls.
Jon released his debut album, Indiana, in 2007 on Island Def Jam, attracting fans with his heartfelt, hook-laden songwriting and impassioned delivery. He has released four albums in the ten years since and revealed a true evolution in both his piano playing and singing. He has played shows with Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson and Adele; collaborated with longtime friend Sara Bareilles; co-written with Demi Lovato; and even performed at the Academy Awards in 2008.
Jon’s last album, Like Us, dropped in October 2015 via Razor & Tie, and he spent the past few years touring extensively before heading back into his Nashville studio to work on new music.
Jon’s latest project was a Christmas EP, titled Red & Green, his second release celebrating the holidays. This one, recorded with various collaborators around Nashville, features three original tunes and two covers.
As with everything he does, Jon’s goal is to create connections. He wants to translate his experiences and ideas into music that reaches fans everywhere. His passion for music and playing is evident in each note he plays.
About Kat Muir
Katharine “Kat” Muir received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science at Miami University and her Master’s degree in Bilingual Speech Pathology at Indiana
University.
Not only is Kat fluent in French, Spanish and German, she has conversational skills in Farsi,
American Sign Language and Mandarin, as well. Kat loves comparing the structure and
the way sounds differ among languages. Her love of languages is what drew her to her career as a speech-language pathologist.
Diagnosed with autism at age 22, Kat uses her quirks to her advantage — sensitive hearing is helpful for speech therapy sessions (but maybe not so much in a crowded store).
During Kat’s six years at Easterseals Crossroads, she has served as an interpreter not only between languages, but between those on and off the autism spectrum.
Kat lives in Indianapolis and enjoys horseback riding, swimming and playing the clarinet.
Stellar Safety Record
The production workers at Crossroads Industrial Services have reached a major achievement of no recordable injuries for the second year in a row! We take safety very seriously; our customers and our workers can attest to that. A record such as this makes a huge statement about our industrial policies and practices and is quite an accomplishment.
“We congratulate all the employees of Crossroads Industrial Services in attaining two consecutive years of no recordable injuries. Workplace safety is the top priority at Crossroads Industrial Services; with everyone working together, we have created a safe workplace for all,” said Jeff Gore, General Manager – Administration.
Bingo Bonanza 2018
Join us for Bingo Bonanza 2018
Friday, February, 9, 2018 | Northside Knights of Columbus
Bingo Bonanza is presented in partnership with Century 21 Scheetz
Special Bingo License 146040
You don’t want to miss Bingo Bonanza – food, fun and bingo at its wild and crazy best! Tickets are on sale now; $50 per person for three game cards for each of the 7 games, buffet dinner and 2 drink tickets (complimentary water and soda). And the best part? Bingo Bonanza benefits children’s services at Easterseals Crossroads.
Tickets can only be purchased via cash or check due to charity gaming laws. A limited amount of tickets are available; download the order form and purchase your tickets today!
View this video to see what you do not want to miss!
Grant Renewals – Easterseals Crossroads
Funds will increase access to adaptive technology and support veterans
Easterseals Crossroads, one of Indiana’s largest providers of comprehensive services for people with disabilities, has secured grant renewals totaling nearly $2 million to support two of its most successful and long-running programs.
The first of the programs, Indiana Assistive Technology Act (INDATA), provides access to adaptive technologies that improve quality of life. The second, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), supports Indiana veterans experiencing homelessness.
INDATA grant renewal impacts
The INDATA grant renewal is valued as high as $920,000 over two years with an option to renew for an additional two years. This federal and state grant program, sustained in partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, has served Hoosiers since 2007. Its key services include: assistive technology training; an adaptive equipment demonstration and loan library; technology reuse services; and a low interest bank loan program for technology to assist people with disabilities.
“We are excited to recognize the 10th anniversary of the INDATA program at Easterseals Crossroads and grateful for the funding that will allow us to continue to provide these valuable assistive technology services to Hoosiers with disabilities,” said Brian Norton, director of assistive technology at Easterseals Crossroads.
To request services, to listen to podcasts or to read the popular blog on technology for people with disabilities, visit www.eastersealstech.com.
HVRP grant renewal impacts
The 2017 HVRP grant renewal is valued at just over $1 million over three years. Easterseals Crossroads was first awarded an HVRP grant in 2013. Since then, over 450 homeless veterans have received services, resulting in over 350 veterans securing gainful employment.
This grant renewal aims to enroll 155 veterans experiencing homelessness and place 113 into employment annually. The program focuses on helping veterans develop the skills necessary to achieve long-term self-sufficiency, while working closely with Indiana WorkOne offices and other community partners to provide intensive case management, wraparound support, training, and job development services.
A.J. Antunes Pressure Switch Product Line – New Jobs & Opportunities
Pressure Switch Product Line
Easterseals Crossroads has acquired A.J. Antunes & Co.’s Pressure Switch product line, bringing about a dozen jobs to the area and growing our Crossroads Industrial Services (CIS) arm in Indianapolis to have a more international impact.
The Antunes Control product line we are acquiring is used in commercial boilers and HVAC applications and was previously based in Carol Stream, Illinois, with operations in Suzhou, China. The acquisition was finalized on May 15, and Easterseals Crossroads is currently in the process of moving the operation to our eastside Indianapolis plant with the start date goal for production lines as early as August 1, 2017.
“The exciting difference about this acquisition from past business is we are no longer solely relying on other companies to provide work for our plant,” said Greg Roberts, General Manager of Operations, at Easterseals Crossroads Industrial Services. “By owning this line of switches, we can now create a better future for our employees with a product of our own that provides repeatable and steady employment.”
Easterseals Crossroads is confident that this business move will help continue our mission of taking on disability together by creating more employment opportunities at Easterseals Crossroads Industrial Services where 80 percent of the workers are individuals with disabilities.
“This acquisition builds on the rich history at CIS,” said J. Patrick Sandy, president and CEO of Easterseals Crossroads. “These efforts fit well with our strategic plan to grow employment, leverage our proven capabilities and bring more independence to our CIS operations all while positively impacting the economy and community of Central Indiana.”
ABOUT EASTERSEALS CROSSROADS
Easterseals Crossroads has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for 80 years. Whether helping someone improve physical mobility, return to work or simply gain greater independence for everyday living, Easterseals Crossroads offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. Easterseals Crossroads provides top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the individuals we serve.
Visit Easterseals Crossroads to learn more.
