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You can click donate button below to do one-time or recurring donation.  Thanks so much for your support! 

Disability Connection needs your help!

 

Why Disability Connection?

Disability Connection (DC) is a “boots on the ground” community nonprofit agency founded in 2002. Our office is Gulfport, but we serve individuals from the southern 6 counties.  We have grown to serve 15,000 individuals yearly with services that are primarily not offered from any other agency. DC’s mission is to “Create a Connected Community” with a goal to eliminate barriers to an active life. Disability Connection hosts a minimum of four major inclusive events yearly. Events include the Arbor Day 5K-1 Mile Run/Walk/Roll & ¼ Mile Challenge (500 participate), the Art Ability Fair (free day of art classes for 500 kids with disabilities from 40 schools, 800 participate), Disability Connection Playground Party (For kids with disabilities, 500 participate cleaning up, playing, and celebrating their inclusive playground), and the Community Resource Fair (bringing together 80 coast nonprofit agencies, 800 participate).  DC partners for over 50 additional community events that serve children, the homeless, and the community at large.

DC also hosts programs that provide emergency and vital services to those at-risk in our community.  Employment Connection (eliminating barriers to employment), Entrepreneur Connection (assisting individuals with disabilities in starting their own business), Community Assist/COVID-19 Relief (providing resource information, referrals, and direct service), and The Connection (an on-line resource center). The Connection hosts the Gulf Coast Heritage Tours Information Center (universally designed tours to include their accessibility), a Community Calendar, and Employment and Community Assist applications. Direct Service includes clothing, food, medical supplies, and home repair. We are the only agency to provide a MS Gulf Coast Community Resource Guide covering 6 counties. The Guide can be downloadable from the DC website, and DC provides copies to nonprofit agencies with a goal to “connect the community.” This year DC will provide the Read-Up Book Clubs, encouraging and assisting over 50 kids with intellectual disabilities in learning to read or read better. Another current focus is to help provide a second accessible playground for people with disabilities in Jackson County. Our first was built for individuals in Harrison County on Hwy 53.

All of DC’s events and programs require sponsorship’s as they are free to the public. The staff and Executive Board of Disability Connection requests your support.

Disability Connection a dba of O’Keefe Educational Media is an official IRS approved 501@3 non-profit corporation.  Your donation is tax deductible.  EIN:  36-4488806.  For information about sponsor levels or our programs, please contact: Executive Director, Janie O’Keefe 228-604-4020.

All public documents are available to view at DC office (700 Pass Road, Gulfport, MS 39501) with a timely notice.  Ask for DC’s Document:  “Request for Disclosure of Public Records”.