Championing the Cause

Another Way's mission is to improve the quality of life and promote independence and inclusion in society for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Another Way provides children and adults who have an intellectual and developmental disabilities with support for vital needs during times of crisis and emergency. Each year, Another Way funds Safety-Net and Health and Wellness Services for over 1700 children and adults. When taking into account the family members who also benefit from Another Way’s support the number is estimated at three times as much. Through strategic outreach Another Way is empowering a traditionally marginalized population, by providing assistance that stabilizes their lives and enables each to remain as independent as possible.

To some, providing $700 (average gift size) to an individual may seem a small amount. However, the impact is huge. For example, providing rental assistance during a time hardship has kept families from eviction and homeless. To understand the enormity of this intervention you must take into consideration that more than half of the families we serve are living in subsidized housing. If Another Way had not intervened many of our families would have to wait 3 to 5 years to secure low-income housing again.

Here are a few examples of individuals Another Way has assisted:

James, a client diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Severe ID, asthma, sleep apnea and history of pneumonia is medically fragile and requires the use of several pieces of medical equipment: an 02 concentrator, an intrapulmonary percussive ventilator (IPV), nebulizer (requires ongoing breathing treatments), a cool mist, a ceiling fan and a personal fan, continuous AC, a cough assist machine and a pulse oximeter. James requires complete assistance with all daily care tasks. He is dependent upon a g-tube, has a trachea, is on various medications and requires the AC unit in his bedroom running 24 hours/day due to not regulating his body temperature. He is total care and requires a high level of care by his parents and LVN nursing staff. He receives nursing care 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. The issue was rolling black outs, which are quite common during heat waves in Southern California during summer months. Every time the electricity went out James’ life was put at stake. With funding from Union Bank we were able to purchase a home generator to ensure James would be safe.

Ken is four years old and has developmental delay. His family came to Another Way requesting help to purchase an Upsee Harness. It is a mobility device that lets children with motor impairment stand and walk with the help of an adult. It improves quality of life and in the long-term physical well-being. Insurance denied the device. Another Way funded it and Ken is now learning how to walk. 

John, diagnosed with an intellectual disability was rushed to an emergency room due to a heart condition. His heart related ailments were linked to a blood infection caused by severe tooth decay. John had not been to a dentist in 18 years and required nine extractions. Another Way was able to fund the dental work that helped save John’s life. 

Jeremy, a client diagnosed with cerebral palsy, saved money to purchase an IPad and software for a dedicated communication device. Eventually Jeremy had everything he needed, except a mounting device that would make the IPad easily accessible to him while in his wheelchair. With much frustration and in need of funds for the mount, Jeremy came to Another Way for help. Another Way was able to use grant money to purchase the iPad mount. Jeremy now has all the components needed for him to engage in conversation with family and friends.

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