Introduction
StRIVE started out in humble beginnings in the Fall of 2013, with less than ten active volunteers and an outreach of only two TRACE classes. As the program garnered support and praise from parents, teachers, and TRACE students, more and more UCSD students became interested in its unique mission. Our passionate volunteers work with adults with developmental disabilities throughout San Diego County. We are constantly looking to expand our service and outreach, by partnering with other community organizations and recruiting new enthusiastic volunteers.
In 2015, we were recognized for our service by the generous Donald A. Strauss Foundation Scholarship.
StRIVE started out in humble beginnings in the Fall of 2013, with less than ten active volunteers and an outreach of only two TRACE classes. As the program garnered support and praise from parents, teachers, and TRACE students, more and more UCSD students became interested in its unique mission. Our passionate volunteers work with adults with developmental disabilities throughout San Diego County. We are constantly looking to expand our service and outreach, by partnering with other community organizations and recruiting new enthusiastic volunteers.
In 2015, we were recognized for our service by the generous Donald A. Strauss Foundation Scholarship.
The Issue
The disparity in labor force participation between adults with and without disabilities is steadily widening. According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, this holds true both nationwide and here locally in San Diego. Additionally, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people with disabilities to access quality healthcare. We see this not as the problem but as a symptom to a larger issue, namely, the obstacles that young adults with disabilities face to social integration. These obstacles affect students of varying levels of functioning along the disability spectrum. Many face communication barriers that distance themselves from their community and from voicing their needs and desires. As beneficial as transitional education programs are for students with developmental disabilities, interaction with peers and community members outside their classes are also limited. This complex issue is one that is all too often overlooked, despite its impact on thousands of lives within San Diego County alone. StRIVE aims to fill the role of this limited community interaction.
The Issue
The disparity in labor force participation between adults with and without disabilities is steadily widening. According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, this holds true both nationwide and here locally in San Diego. Additionally, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people with disabilities to access quality healthcare. We see this not as the problem but as a symptom to a larger issue, namely, the obstacles that young adults with disabilities face to social integration. These obstacles affect students of varying levels of functioning along the disability spectrum. Many face communication barriers that distance themselves from their community and from voicing their needs and desires. As beneficial as transitional education programs are for students with developmental disabilities, interaction with peers and community members outside their classes are also limited. This complex issue is one that is all too often overlooked, despite its impact on thousands of lives within San Diego County alone. StRIVE aims to fill the role of this limited community interaction.
Who are our coaches?
Our coaches take on leadership positions using their compassion and enthusiasm to help an underserved community of adults. We welcome students of diverse majors and backgrounds, with a common interest in the social issues that intersect and suppress this community of individuals. All UC San Diego undergraduates are welcome to apply.
Who do we partner with?
Who do we partner with?
TRACE
Our mission is to merge peer mentorship with adult community education, fostering independence in students with disabilities. TRACE, a transitional education program within San Diego Unified School District, is a program that enrolls students ages 18-22 with disabilities. As StRIVE "coaches", we serve as mentors and educators to these TRACE students. In partnering with TRACE, we aim to assist these adults with their transition to independent adult living. We strive to promote social inclusion of these students and to assist the students in becoming self-advocates. We emphasize the importance of assuming competence and placing a person before their disability. |
Global Health Program
We also partner with the UCSD Global Health Program, which means that participation in StRIVE qualifies for UCSD Global Health Field Experience. The global health program focuses on "engaging minds, hands, and heart to create a learning outcome that is scientific, pragmatic, and humanistic," and we are honored to join them in this mission. If you are a global health major/minor, consider applying to StRIVE to fulfill your 100 hours of mandatory field experience. |