Thebarbarastonefoundation

07/31/2026

Our July newsletter has officially landed!

As we close out Disability Pride Month and celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we're reflecting on how much is possible when a community chooses collaboration, conversation, and inclusion.

This year also marks 35 years of the Barbara Stone Foundation—a legacy built on Barbara Stone's vision that every individual deserves the opportunity to belong, contribute, and flourish.

Inside this month's newsletter, you'll find:
✨ Community events and opportunities
🤝 Volunteer opportunities
💼 Updates from the UP Employment Initiative
⚾ GVL Ability at the Greenville Drive
🎤 A first look at this year's CAN Talks speakers, plus ticket and sponsorship information
…and so much more!

If you receive our newsletter, be sure to check your inbox. If you don't, now is a great time to subscribe and stay connected with the disability community across the Upstate.

Together, we're creating opportunities, removing barriers, and building a more inclusive community.



https://conta.cc/4wIAClx

Email from Greenville CAN   July2026 Newsletter As we close out Disability Pride Month and I review this newsletter before hitting "send," I'm reminded how much is possible when a community chooses co

07/30/2026

🚨 Last chance! Applications for Barbara Stone Foundation's UP Pre-Employment Program (PEP) close tomorrow, Friday, July 31!

PEP is a 13-week pre-employment program designed to help individuals with disabilities build confidence, strengthen workplace readiness skills, and prepare for future employment opportunities through hands-on learning, community experiences, and personalized support.

The Fall 2026 session runs August 5 through November 4, so don't miss this opportunity to take the next step toward meaningful employment.

🔗 Apply today: https://buff.ly/auuWnXi

Questions? Kris Mostoller is happy to help! Please refer to the contact information provided on the application.

07/24/2026

⛳ One tournament. Two organizations. One stronger community.

Happy Friday! We have something exciting to celebrate.

On Sunday, September 13, golfers, businesses, and community leaders will gather at Southern Oaks Golf Course for the OPA Open—and thanks to an incredible response from our community, team registrations are officially full! 🎉

This year marks the first-ever partnership between AHEPA Chapter 242 and the Barbara Stone Foundation, and we're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to come together in support of our shared commitment to strengthening the Upstate.

While the foursomes are spoken for, sponsorship opportunities are still available!

When you sponsor the OPA Open:
⛳ Showcase your business to golfers and community leaders from across the Upstate.
🤝 Support the work of AHEPA Chapter 242 and the Barbara Stone Foundation.
💙 Help make a difference—50% of every dollar raised directly benefits the Barbara Stone Foundation, helping us champion individuals with disabilities by creating opportunities, expanding access, and building a more inclusive community.

Whether you're interested in a Food, Tent, or Hole Sponsorship, we'd love to have you join us in making this inaugural partnership a success.

🔗 Reserve your sponsorship today: https://barbarastonefoundation.networkforgood.com/events/98614-opa-open-golf-tournament

Thank you for helping us drive inclusion—on and off the course. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! 💙⛳



📧 Want to learn more? Check out today's e-blast for sponsorship details: https://conta.cc/3RPimI1

Email from Greenville CAN Sponsor the 2026 OPA Open Golf Tournament The OPA Open is shaping up to be another incredible day on the course. Thanks to overwhelming community support, team registrations

07/18/2026

✨ PEP Participant Spotlight: Meet Teagan! ✨

When Teagan joined Barbara Stone Foundation's Pre-Employment Program (PEP), she was looking for a program that would meet her where she was and help prepare her for employment. Over the course of 13-weeks, she gained hands-on experience in the community while building confidence, independence, and stronger communication skills.

Through experiences with TruColor, the South Carolina Children's Theatre, and Carolina Adaptive Golf, Teagan discovered that her strengths are in organizing, sorting, packing, and completing tasks with consistency and care. Once she learns a process, she can confidently repeat it with minimal supervision, an incredible strength that many employers value.

Her family also saw tremendous growth throughout the program. They watched Teagan become more confident, more engaged with staff and fellow participants, and more comfortable using her voice.

When asked what she would say to someone considering PEP, Teagan's message was simple:

"Go for it, because this program was developed to help adults with disabilities learn the skills needed to prepare for a job."

Her family's advice is:

"We would highly recommend PEP. This program sees the potential in each participant and understands what it takes to support each individual in diverse work environments. It provides opportunities to make mistakes, learn, and grow in a safe and supportive environment."

Every participant's journey is different. PEP helps individuals discover their strengths, build confidence, gain real-world experience, and prepare for meaningful employment, one step at a time.

📅 Applications for the Fall 2026 PEP session are open through July 31! Our fall sessions starts on Wednesday, August 4.

🔗 Apply today: https://buff.ly/qsSSb8l

07/16/2026

☀️ The countdown is on for an evening of gratitude, community, and fun!

The Barbara Stone Foundation is excited to be part of Gratitude Greenville—a community festival celebrating generosity, connection, and the people and organizations making the Upstate stronger every day.

Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring 100+ local vendors, interactive experiences, celebrity appearances, friendly competitions, and activities for all ages. Best of all, the outdoor festival is FREE and open to everyone! 🎉⛳

📅 Friday, July 31
📍 Topgolf Greenville
🕕 Outdoor Festival: Begins at 6:00 PM (FREE!)
🎟️ Indoor Ticketed Events: 8:00 PM–11:59 PM
✨ What to Expect: 100+ vendors, celebrity guests, golf and gaming competitions, interactive experiences, and much more!
🔗 Learn more and purchase indoor event tickets: https://buff.ly/1gPfUoc

While you're there, be sure to stop by the Barbara Stone Foundation booth! We'd love to meet you, share more about our mission, and talk about how we're working alongside our community to create a Greenville where individuals with disabilities have greater access to opportunity, connection, and belonging.

Come celebrate the power of generosity, community, and gratitude with us—we can't wait to see you on July 31! 💛

📲 Follow the event on Instagram:
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07/15/2026

Recreation for Every Ability isn't just a goal, it's something we build together.

At the Barbara Stone Foundation, we're proud to facilitate the Greenville Collaborative Action Network (CAN), bringing together community partners who are committed to creating, supporting, and expanding inclusive and adaptive recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

At our latest quarterly Greenville CAN Recreation Project Team meeting, partners:
✅ Reflected on this year's Adaptive Recreation Day and explored ways to make future events even more engaging and accessible.
✅ Began the work of updating the online Greenville CAN Recreation Guide to help ensure individuals and families have access to current information about inclusive recreation opportunities across the Upstate.
✅ Shared upcoming programs, events, and initiatives that continue to expand recreational opportunities throughout our community.

This work is possible because organizations choose to collaborate, share ideas, and work toward a common vision. Together, we're creating more opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families to connect, explore, play, and belong.

Thank you to every organization that brings its expertise, passion, and commitment to this collaborative effort. We look forward to continuing this important work—together. 💙

07/14/2026

🍿🎬 The countdown is on! We’re just days away from the return of GVL Ability—and our first stop is the movies!

Join us Sunday, July 19, for a Movie Matinee featuring Disney’s Holes, plus popcorn, snacks, and plenty of time to catch up with familiar faces and meet some new ones.

GVL Ability is Barbara Stone Foundation’s networking and volunteer meet-up group for people with disabilities ages 16 and older. Through monthly activities and quarterly volunteer opportunities, GVL Ability creates more ways to get out, get involved, make connections, and be part of the community.

📅 Sunday, July 19
🕒 3:00–6:00 PM
📍 Barbara Stone Foundation
701 Easley Bridge Road, Suite 6070
Greenville, SC 29611

🎟️ Registration is required, and space is limited to 50 participants. Space still available. Scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot!

Questions? Contact [email protected] or [email protected].

We’ve missed GVL Ability and we can’t wait to see everyone back together again! 🍿🎬

07/13/2026

Together, we go farther.

Three days. Hundreds of miles. Countless stories.

The finish line isn’t the end of the work. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when a community believes in something bigger than itself.

Over the past three days, we’ve watched riders, volunteers, supporters, and families come together with one shared purpose: ending Alzheimer’s.

At Barbara Stone Foundation, we believe that same spirit of community changes lives. Whether we’re advocating for people with disabilities or supporting organizations making a difference, lasting impact begins when people choose to move forward together.

Congratulations to every rider who crossed the finish line, especially our Executive Director, Lara Ceisel, and Board Member Elizabeth Piper. Thank you for representing Barbara Stone Foundation with heart, determination, and purpose.

To everyone who rode, volunteered, donated, or cheered from the sidelines, thank you for being part of something bigger than yourselves. 💜🚴

07/11/2026

Why we ride. 💜

At the Ride to End ALZ sponsor dinner last night, our Executive Director, Lara Ceisel, shared these powerful words:

“We ride because this disease takes movement. We connect because this disease isolates. We remember because this disease steals memory. And we ride together because none of us can do this alone.”

The Barbara Stone Foundation and the Ride to End ALZ share a common belief: stronger communities are built when people show up for one another.

That’s why we’re especially grateful for BSF Board Members Elizabeth Piper and Lee Sowell, who are spending their weekend on the road with Lara supporting this incredible cause.

We’re proud to have a board that leads by example, showing up for our mission and for the broader community we serve.

We’re cheering on Lara, Piper, Lee, and every rider as they continue the journey. 💜🚴

07/11/2026

Today, Barbara Stone Foundation was proud to sponsor and participate in Day 1 of the Ride to End ALZ South Carolina. 💜

We believe strong communities are built when we show up for one another, and it was an honor to support this incredible event and ride alongside so many dedicated cyclists, volunteers, families, and advocates.

For our riders, this isn’t just another event. Like so many in the Alzheimer’s community, this cause is deeply personal, making every mile even more meaningful.

Day 1 is complete, but there’s still more road ahead. With two more days to go, we’re cheering on our riders and every participant as they continue making every mile count. 🚴