Get jazzy and give back during Mardi Gras on the Mountain, Feb. 11

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In Birmingham, there are countless children and adults with disabilities or special needs that create daily obstacles. This is where Easterseals of the Birmingham Area (ESBA) steps in to provide life-changing services. Read on to learn what makes ESBA such a vital resource and how you can support them during their annual fundraising event, Mardi Gras on the Mountain, taking place Saturday, February 11.

About Easterseals of the Birmingham Area

For more than 66 years, ESBA has provided top-quality, family-focused and innovative services to people of all ages across the Greater Birmingham Area. From pediatric services like speech-language therapy to summer work programs for students and job readiness programs for adults, the list of services ESBA offers is not only long, but inspirational.

Here are just some of the services ESBA offers:

Pediatrics

• Speech-Language Therapy
• Pediatric Feeding Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Occupation Therapy

Students

• Transition Services
• Summer Work Program
• Independent Living Skills
• Social Skills

Adults:

• General Evaluation
• Job Readiness Skills
• Job Placement Services
• Computer Skills Training

Know someone in need of services like these? Visit ESBA’s website to learn more.

A closer look at ESBA’s services

As you have learned, ESBA offers a variety of services and programs. Now let’s take a closer look at two areas of service that most positively impact those in the Greater Birmingham Area.

1. Pediatric Rehabilitation

ESBA works with children from birth to teens in need of physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapies. 

The best part is that each individual is provided their own specialized program so they can grow and thrive based on their own unique needs.

At ESBA, kids aren’t treated in a sterile office environment, either. Instead, they participate in exciting and beneficial activities in special sensory rooms and even a gym. 

“The tried and true methods are still the base of service, yet, it’s a new day with technology and equipment development. To witness a young child receiving his or her first communication device and speak to parents with just an electric word or two changes your life.”

Michael B. Woolley, Executive Director, Easterseals of the Birmingham Area

2. Adult/Teen Workforce Development 

For adults and teens with disabilities and special needs, finding a job or career can pose difficulties. This is why ESBA helps remove these obstacles through their Adult/Teen Workforce Development team. 

Here’s a breakdown of what this team is all about:

For teens:

ESBA works with local high school students living with a disability or special need to prepare them for the future by providing them with:

• Classroom instruction to help them focus on what they want in the future, such as work type, location, education, credentialing and more
• Guidance on how to approach work with a sense of ethics, discipline, communication and even what to wear

“We evaluate their wants and needs, work with amazing local businesses and help supervise these great kids for the summer. What’s really cool for the businesses is that we pay the interns and businesses can benefit from awesome free labor.”

Michael B. Woolley, Executive Director, Easterseals of the Birmingham Area

For adults:

ESBA provides adults with disabilities or special needs with one-on-one support to not just find a job, but a career.

“Just because someone has a disability or special need, doesn’t mean they can’t have a solid and long-term job and career. We work on evaluations, job readiness, job search and workplace ethics and stay in the background as a resource to the employee and the business who hired him or her.”

Michael B. Woolley, Executive Director, Easterseals of the Birmingham Area

For more information on ESBA’s services, click here.

Attend ESBA’s annual fundraiser Mardi Gras on the Mountain, Feb. 11

Love what you’ve learned about ESBA? Show your support by attending Mardi Gras on the Mountain presented by Zyne Family Foundation
on Saturday, February 11.

This fabulous event is ESBA’s biggest annual fundraiser, helping them continue their mission to provide exceptional services, education, outreach and advocacy to local children and adults with disabilities and special needs.

This year’s event will make you feel like you’ve stepped into Mardi Gras right here in Birmingham with a celebratory night filled with:

• Live 9-piece band
• New Orleans-inspired dinner, beer and wine + 1 Tito’s Vodka cocktail
• Live Auction hosted by by Diamonds Direct with a trip to Italy, diamond in/out hoop earrings, quail hunting trip for 4 + more up for grabs
• Silent Auction with items from Birmingham Animal Hospital and Resort, The Cook Store, Grand Bohemian + more

WIN TICKETS: Head to Bham Now’s Instagram for a chance to win four tickets to Mardi Gras on the Mountain.

Event Details

What: Mardi Gras on the Mountain benefiting Easterseals
When: Saturday, February 11 | 6PM – VIP Cocktail Hour for Sponsors | 7-10PM – Doors open for main event
Where: The Club, 1 Robert S Smith Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
Cost: Single ticket – $125 | Couples ticket – $225
Tickets

Learn more about Easterseals of the Birmingham Area—visit their website, Facebook, Instagram + LinkedIn.

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