The Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy Inc.

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Syracuse, NY
The Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy Inc.

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Our Mission: To be a catalyst of change for minority youth with disabilities.

10/18/2026

💜💛 Celebrating Our Founder & Executive Director!

The Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy proudly congratulates our Founder and Executive Director, LaToya Monique Jones, BSHSA, MPH, LPN, on being selected as a Believe in Her honoree in Leading in Supporting Children by Believe in Syracuse! 🎉

Her dedication to advocating for children and youth of all abilities, empowering families, and creating opportunities for underserved communities continues to drive our mission forward.

Please join us in celebrating this wonderful recognition and her continued commitment to ensuring that every child and family has access to the support they deserve.

👏 Congratulations from the JFF family!

10/10/2026

🌎💚 World Mental Health Day 2026

Different Abilities. Different Experiences. Every Mind Matters! 🧠🌈

At the Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, we believe every young person deserves to feel seen, heard, understood, and supported.

📊 According to data highlighted by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 1 in 6 youth ages 6–17 experiences a mental health disorder each year, and 50% of lifetime mental illness begins by age 14.

For youth and young adults living with disabilities, navigating trauma, experiencing grief, or facing life’s challenges, mental health support is essential.

💜 Some struggles are invisible. Some experiences are difficult to express. Every young person deserves compassion, understanding, and a safe space to be themselves.

At JFF, we remain committed to creating inclusive, trauma-informed spaces that support the emotional well-being of youth and families.

🧸🌈 Just like the Care Bears remind us, kindness, compassion, and caring for one another can make a difference.

Every Feeling Matters. Every Voice Matters. Every Young Person Matters. 💚

10/09/2026

💙 UNSEEN: A Morning for Caregivers & Those Who Support Them

The Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, Inc. is proud to collaborate with David’s Refuge and community partners for a special screening of UNSEEN: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers and Why It Matters.

Behind every caregiver is a story of love, sacrifice, resilience, and often challenges that go unseen.

This powerful documentary shines a light on the realities of caregiving and the importance of ensuring that caregivers feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.

📅 Thursday, November 5, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 The Palace Theatre
2384 James Street, Syracuse, NY

🎟️ Free tickets here: https://kinema.com/events/UNSEEN:-How-We're-Failing-Parent-Caregivers-and-Why-It-Matters-nrzu4w

At JFF, we believe caregiver wellness, advocacy, and community connection are essential. We invite caregivers, families, advocates, and community partners to join us for a meaningful morning of awareness and connection.

💙 Because caregivers deserve to be seen, too.

10/08/2026

💜💚💛 EXCITING NEWS! THE JFF YOUTH SUCCESS ACADEMY IS BACK! 🎉

The Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, Inc. is excited to announce the relaunch of our Youth Success Academy (Saturday Academy) on Saturday, October 24, 2026! Orientation is scheduled this Saturday starting at 9am.

Our FREE Saturday morning program provides youth ages 13–21 with opportunities to build confidence, develop life and leadership skills, explore careers, strengthen mental wellness, and connect with supportive mentors.

🌱 AND THERE’S MORE! 🥦🍎

We are excited to collaborate with Brady Farms to introduce our JFF Youth Food Pantry!

Once a month, on Program Saturdays, youth attending our Academy will have access to nutritious food, fresh produce when available, and essential items to take home during the final hour of programming, from 12–1 PM.

A heartfelt thank you to The Brady Farm for joining us in creating opportunities to support our young people and their families! 💚

🤝 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Our Academy welcomes JFF participants, youth connected to Project RISE 315, and community youth through registration.

We are also accepting Project RISE 315 referrals and welcome inquiries from families and community partners interested in learning more.

📅 Saturday, October 24 | 9 AM–1 PM

📍 Southern Missionary Baptist Church, 3143 Midland Avenue, Syracuse

📩 For registration, referrals, or additional information, contact [email protected] to connect with our Program Manager, Brianna Howard, MPH.

A Safe Space. Real Support. Brighter Futures. 💜💚💛

10/05/2026

💛 October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

At the Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, Inc., we know that every person deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, build confidence, and dream about what their future can look like.

For people with disabilities, meaningful employment can be so much more than a job. It can mean independence, purpose, friendships, confidence, financial freedom, and being part of the community.

As a Foundation built from lived experience, this is personal for us. We want our youth, young adults, and families to know that a disability does not determine how far someone can go. With the right support, preparation, advocacy, and opportunity, there are so many possibilities. 💛

We also encourage employers to be part of creating workplaces where people of ALL abilities are welcomed, valued, and given the opportunity to thrive.

💼 Employers: Take OPWDD’s EmployAbility Pledge and show your commitment to inclusive employment.

🔗 EmployAbility Pledge: https://opwdd.ny.gov/form/take_the_pledge

🔗 OPWDD EmployAbility Toolkit: https://opwdd.ny.gov/community-involvement/about-employability

At JFF, we will continue helping our young people build life skills, workforce readiness, self-advocacy, independence, and confidence for their next chapter.

Because everyone deserves the opportunity to find their place, use their gifts, and build a future they are proud of. 💛

10/04/2026

🎄 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2026! 🎁

The Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, Inc. is excited to bring back our Home for the Holidays Collection Drive!

This year, we have a BIG goal: brightening the holidays for 150 students across Onondaga County. ❤️

Now through December 14, 2026, we’re collecting NEW items including:

🎁 Cozy throw blankets
🧦 Beanie hats & comfy socks
📚 Books
🎲 Board games
🎄 Other holiday goodies

Want to help from the comfort of your home? Shop directly from our Amazon Gift List:

🎁 SHOP OUR AMAZON GIFT LIST⁠

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2MQSAD0OJ5FWF?

📦 Have items to donate or questions about the drive?

To arrange a donation pickup or for additional information, please contact:

Nadia Joe | Joe Family Foundation
📧 [email protected]
📱 (680) 867-9316

We also welcome businesses, organizations, community partners, and individual sponsors who would like to help us reach all 150 students.

Every blanket, book, game, pair of cozy socks, and gift helps bring a little more warmth and joy to a young person this holiday season. When our community comes together, every gift makes a difference. ❤️

Please SHARE and help us spread some holiday joy!

Your Disability Is Not Your Ability.

10/03/2026

💜💚💛 MEET OUR TEAM! SMALL TEAM. BIG IMPACT!

We’re continuing our Meet Our Team Spotlight series by celebrating the individuals who bring their expertise, experience, and commitment to inclusion to the Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, Inc.

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Dana McMullen, Digital Accessibility Advisor!

Dana is the owner of Virtual Emergence Technology Training & Consulting and brings extensive experience in web development, assistive technology, and digital accessibility.

Throughout her career, Dana has worked to identify and remove barriers that can prevent individuals with disabilities from fully accessing technology, information, and digital spaces. Her experience includes working with individuals who are blind or have low vision, providing assistive technology training, and helping create accessible digital experiences for people with a variety of disability-related needs.

At JFF, Dana helps ensure that our website and digital platforms are accessible and inclusive for individuals of all abilities. Her expertise helps us consider how individuals using screen readers, assistive technology, alternative formats, and other accessibility tools experience the information and resources we share.

For JFF, accessibility isn’t an afterthought it’s part of disability advocacy. As we continue growing our programs, services, and digital presence, Dana helps us keep accessibility at the forefront of how we communicate and connect with individuals and families.

We’re grateful to have Dana’s knowledge and expertise as part of the JFF team and appreciate her commitment to helping us build an organization where accessibility and inclusion are intentional at every level.

Help us show Dana some JFF love! 💜💚💛

A Safe Space. Real Support. Brighter Futures.

10/02/2026

💜💚💛 MEET OUR TEAM! SMALL TEAM. BIG IMPACT!

As we continue our Meet Our Team Spotlight series, we’re excited to introduce another important part of the Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, Inc. our Advisory Members and Lived Experience Leaders!

At JFF, we believe lived experience deserves more than a voice. It deserves a seat at the table. Our advisory group help us center the perspectives of individuals and families with firsthand experience so that our programs, services, and decisions remain connected to the people we serve.

Today, meet Alana, NyShaun, and April ! 💜💚💛

💜 Alana Joe ✨Peer Advocate & Artist
Alana brings lived experience, creativity, and the peer perspective to JFF. By day, she works as a Recovery Peer Specialist, she is a talented artist supporting JFF’s art-based programming, helping us create opportunities for young people to express themselves through creativity.

💚 NyShaun Joe ✨Peer Advocate
NyShaun brings his lived experience and perspective as a young adult living with different abilities to our advisory team. He is a student at Onondaga Community College studying photography, bringing his creativity, growing independence, and young adult voice to the work of JFF.

💛 April Garcia ✨Family Care Advocate
April brings lived experience, leadership, and the family perspective to JFF. In her professional work, she serves as a Parent Advocate, and at JFF, she helps ensure that the voices, experiences, and needs of families and caregivers remain represented in our work.

Together, Alana, NyShaun, and April help us look at our work through different lenses, peer experience, lived experience, sibling and family experiences, caregiving, recovery, trauma, advocacy, and creativity.

Their perspectives help us identify needs, strengthen programming, and remain accountable to the individuals and families at the heart of our mission.

At JFF, lived experience isn’t simply something we listen to. It has a seat at every table and every conversation!

We’re grateful to have Alana, NyShaun, and April helping us strengthen our foundation where individuals and families are seen, heard, valued, and included.

Help us show our Advisory Members some JFF love! 💜💚💛

A Safe Space. Real Support. Brighter Futures.

Address

Syracuse, NY
13202

Telephone

+16808679316

Website

https://thejoefamilyfoundation.com/

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