GAP School Wins Living Well Disability Services' Community Partner Award

Congratulations our Healthcare Pathway participants and Healthcare Pathway staff, Erika, Yojani and Hodan, for receiving the 2025 Community Partner Dreammaker Award from Living Well Disability Services. The award honors an individual or organization whose work in the community has made a significant difference in the lives of the people Living Well serves.

Living Well serves 300 people in 37 group homes and through customized in-home services. GAP School's Healthcare Pathway participants have been volunteering with Living Well since 2022 as part of the community service pillar of YouthBuild. Our Healthcare Pathway staff have been dedicated to ensuring our students have interactions with people with disabilities so that they not only understand career opportunities but also so they know how to advocate for people with disabilities at work and in the community.

Nate Altman, Recruitment Manager at Living Well, says, “Over the past two years, we have had the privilege of hiring 10 students from GAP School, seven of whom are still thriving as members of the Living Well team. Five students are also volunteering regularly with people in our homes participating together in recreation activities and building rapport.”

GAP School Healthcare Pathway Manager, Erika Thurston, accepted the award at Living Well’s annual gala on August 15.

Change Inc. Executive Director, Jill Johnson, and Healthcare Pathway Manager, Erika Ryan, with the award

"I’m so proud of our YouthBuild Healthcare Pathway participants for their community service with Living Well. Congrats on this terrific accomplishment!” -Jill Johnson, Change Inc. Executive Director