Born of a passionate need and desire for self-sufficiency and independence, Futures Explored was founded in 1964, by a group of determined young adults with developmental disabilities and their parents. Grounded in the belief that people with developmental disabilities have the potential to live full and productive lives, the philosophy was innovative at the time, as there were very few programs in existence that served adults with developmental disabilities.
Named "Enterprise" at its founding, the program provided participants a rich opportunity to learn valuable new skills and explore their personal creativity by making and selling hand-crafted items. This newly developed social/micro-enterprise model helped participants build self-esteem, gain social skills and acquire necessary business skills and training on their journey toward independence and self sufficiency. For the past 54 years Futures Explored has built upon a solid foundation and expanded programming to serve 750 clients per year.
The mission of Futures Explored is to provide life skills and work-related training to adults with developmental disabilities. We support our consumers in reaching their optimum level of individual potential by delivering a broad range of resources and ongoing guidance.
Futures Explored has a wide range of services provided in Contra Costa, Alameda, Yolo, and Sacramento Counties. Each program is designed to help meet our agency's mission and consumers' needs for supports and services.
From office supplies, to technology, to vehicles, each as important as the next, to fulfill our mission of providing life skills and work-related training to adults with developmental disabilities, to help them reach their optimum level of individual potential. And remember, the gift of your time and talent is always welcome and will make a significant impact to include: Volunteers, Interns (college students), Tutors (post-doc students), Behaviorists for Staff Training, Mentors (company executive), Consultants (to assist with learning successful methods of building relationships with employers, marketing strategies, sales techniques, and strategies to running a successful business), Technology instructors (computer trainer/tutors), "Strengths Finder" coaches (Work sites willing to hire our clients), Board Members.
Your $5,000 donation will pay for:
- Microsoft Office 365 for all office computers
- Software for clients with vision issues
- Braille keyboards
- Computers, laptops, and iPads (all programs)
- Projector and screen
- Video Camera and Tripod
- Hot spots
- Smart phones
- Portable printers
- Laminator
- Behaviorists for Staff Training
- Social Work Student Interns to support clients in program classes
- Post doc students to tutor
- Company Executives that can mentor clients. We are interested in learning successful methods of building relationships with employers, marketing strategies, sales techniques, and strategies to running a successful business.
- Social work student interns
- Computer trainer/tutor
- "Strengths Finder" coach
- Work sites willing to hire our clients
- Board Members
- Staff Training: $100,000 for specialized staff training in topics such as: Crisis Intervention, Customized Employment for Clients on the Autism Spectrum, Micro-enterprise, Positive Behavioral Supports and Learning Styles/Teaching Techniques
- Miscellaneous office supplies: $5,000
- Sports equipment, arts & craft supplies, etc: $2,000
- Funding to update our agencies marketing material
Organization name
Futures Explored, Inc
other names
FEI
Tax id (EIN)
94-1567161
Mission Category
Human Services
Operating Budget
$10,000,001-$100 million
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted, Technology, Volunteers, Other
Address
2829 Watt Ave. Suite 100