ABILITIES RISING
Who We Are & What We Do
Providing Professional Support that promotes Competitive Integrated Employment and community development for individuals of all abilities.
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life and provide equal opportunities to people of all abilities through community development and employment services while raising public awareness.
KARINA
Knowledge Awareness Recognition Inclusion Nurturance Acceptance
Meaningful Day Services
Inspired by the success of our Expressive Arts Therapy program, we launched our Meaningful Day program in 2019. This is a Monday-Friday program that aims to provide an elevated experience for adults of all abilities after they exit the educational system. Karina Association offers the Meaningful Day program via our approval as a Service Provider for DDA and DORS.
We provide Community Development Services to our participants, where they are immersed in their community via volunteering and hands-on learning opportunities. CDS fosters personal growth and development of new skills through engagement in community-based activities with people without disabilities. CDS provides the social supports necessary to foster lasting relationships and a path to discover each individual's niche for employment opportunities within the community. With encouragement and support, young adults identify their skills, interests, and needs, and work toward improving their ability to self-advocate. This journey of self-education is an ongoing process, as individual needs change over time.
Examples of Meaningful Day programming include volunteering with local businesses and other non-profits, sensory immersion at a local arts & crafts stores and designers' studios, pre-employment training skills preparing meals in a community kitchen and internships at local business offices. Our program is designed to provide a more fulfilling experience and greater community integration versus other options available to our participants. Given our legacy program, cultivating participants’ artistic talents is a key objective of our programming.
We are also approved to provide Employment Services, including a variety of supports to help Karina’s participants identify career and employment interests, as well as to find a niche for self-employment. Karina's team of Job Coaches are Certified Professional Employment Specialists (CESP). Karina's team provides a variety of supports to help participants identify career and employment interests. ​ This includes services such as discovery, job development, follow-along supports, ongoing job supports, coworker employment supports, and customized self-employment.
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Employment Discovery: This is a time-limited, comprehensive, person-centered, and community-based employment planning support service. ​ It helps participants identify their career and employment interests. ​
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Job Development: This service is a flexible process that aims to personalize the employment relationship between a job candidate and an employer. ​ It is designed to meet the needs of both parties.
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Ongoing Job Support: Karina's team provides various supports to help participants successfully maintain their jobs. ​ This includes assistance and guidance to ensure participants have the necessary support to sustain their employment. ​
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Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship Development: Karina's team offers services to support participants in exploring and developing self-employment opportunities. ​ This includes customized self-employment plans and supports. ​
IMPORTANT: We highly recommend to apply for DORS Vocational Assessment as a first step before entering Employment Services. It is provided by a DORS Professional Vocational Counselor at https://dors.maryland.gov/consumers/Pages/referral.aspx
DORS Office at Towson
Supervisor: Gloria Diggs-Branch
Address: 300 E. Joppa Road, Suite 408
Phone: 410-321-4044
Email: Towson.dors@maryland.gov
Skill Development Opportunities
VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LEARN SOCIAL SKILLS, MERCHANDISING, MARKETING, ADVERTISING, DATA ENTRY AND SALESMANSHIP
OPEN: Thursdays from June 5th -- October 30th, 2024
To sign up for the CDS Internship contact Biliana at: biliana@karinaassociation.org
Below are some of the skills development programs that we have served our participating youths/adults with over the years. We partner with our community businesses and services to provide opportunities for our clients. These programs are assisted and supported by your staff at one-on-one to one-on-two ratios for optimal engagement and growth. Our Adult Life Practitioners and Our Vocational Trainers are on the continuous lookout to build partnerships in the community. Parents are encouraged to participate as a community host site if applicable situation can be set up.
Market through volunteering -- Participants learn to create crafts and donate them at various forums.
Salesmanship -- Participants learn to merchandise, marketing and sale products at our Mobile Store.
Music and Movement -- Participants will engage in various musical activities such as, composing songs, engaging in the listening experience, and especially dancing!
Meditation -- Participants learn self-care and stress management techniques.
Pet Training -- Participants will spend quality time volunteering at animal shelters.
Resume Building -- Participants will build a mock resume.
Writing -- Participants learn to brainstorm and write blog articles/newsletters advancing concentration and patience.
Office & Data Entry -- Participants learn to do data-entry and administrative office tasks.
Garden -- Participants learn to sow seeds, water, and nurture nature.
Disposal -- Participants learn to recycle and trash management.
Vocational Training -- Participants will be taught the necessary skills to better pursue their career aspirations.
Fitness -- Participants will receive an individualized workout program and track their progress using real-time data collection and exercise progression.
Website Design -- Participants learn how to utilize basic web software by adding/removing design elements or content while maintaining an overall aesthetically pleasing website.
Photography -- Participants learn to brainstorm and write blog articles/newsletters advancing concentration and patience.
Transportation Training -- Public transportation training with Staff member and Adult Life Practitioner
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Getting started:
In order to provide services, Karina must charge a fee-for-service through DDA or DORS. Let your Service Coordinator know if you or a family member are interested in our programs. Please, fill out the Registration Form and submit it. After reviewing your information we will contact you for an Initial Interview and a tour of our program.
For enrollment information, please contact office@karinaassociation.org.
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We partner with TALMAR's Vocational Program.
IMPORTANT: It is required to apply for DORS funding to enter this program at https://dors.maryland.gov/consumers/Pages/referral.aspx
Karina Association in the News
Testimonials
Volunteers, participants, and parents
"My experience with KARINA has been above and beyond anything I could have imagined. I'll be the first to admit I was nervous, but it was a truly great experience. I just can't put into words how mesmerizing it was to watch these kids come out of their shells and express their unique personalities through music and art. Their faces just lit up when they saw what they could accomplish. I think that this first session will stick with them for a long time, I know it'll stick with me. It never ceases to amaze me that there are such kind-hearted people in the world. Thank you to all participating families and KARINA."
Grace Gillespie, volunteer
"I felt inspired by Grace because she likes to work and help out others almost in the same way that I do. She also wants to become a social worker and that takes a lot of time and determination. The fact that she wants to help people out in that way is incredible and amazing. I think she is a great and kind person and deserves to be given the chance to follow all of her dreams and make them come true This is why I look forward to seeing her at K.A.R.I.N.A."
Robert V. Lopez Jr., participant
"Thank you so much for the wonderful care you gave to Douglas yesterday. I know he is an especially hard case. Everyone was so caring and anxious to help. There are so few programs for these young adults to attend. It would be so much easier to just let them stay at home, but with the help of caring people like you, they get a chance to get out in the world and become a part of it. Thanks again for your kindness."
Pam Wenzl, parent
"I feel very blessed and fortunate to be a part of K.A.R.I.N.A! Providing hope for the future of our children is truly a great inspiration for families of all generations! My son (a volunteer for K.A.R.I.N.A) and Karina’s Team worked seamlessly side by side to help children shine and grow through the music! I was very happy as a parent and volunteer myself to see my son spread his wings and fly! Robert felt like his dream to make a difference in the lives of others was coming alive right before our eyes! Music is a great gift that inspires the human heart and through the love of music there is a sense of compassion to make a difference in the lives of others! My feeling is “Together We Make A Difference” and I became inspired by watching my son, Robert, and the Team of Karina’s volunteers spread joy to others through the gift of music! Who could ask for anything more?Thank you K.A.R.I.N.A for making a difference!!!”
Robin Riha-Lopez, parent and volunteer