Community inclusion is at the heart of Quest, Inc.’s mission. We believe everyone should live a full life regardless of accessibility challenges or a lack of resources.
Everyone Deserves to Make Memories
The people we serve at Quest are often seen as an “invisible” population, meaning you don’t usually see large numbers of children or adults with developmental disabilities out in the community. But our clients deserve to experience community outings just like you.
Think about the last time you enjoyed creating memories with family or friends at dinner, a concert, or a sporting event. How did it make you feel? Now imagine gifting someone else those same experiences.
The Importance of Our Community Inclusion Efforts
With your generosity, students at Quest Kids Academy (QKA) can go out to lunch after a morning of volunteering in the community, the adults in our training facilities can spend the afternoon at the Strawberry Festival, and our Quest Village residents can cheer on their favorite players at the Orlando Solar Bears and Orlando Magic games—to name a few examples of activities our clients have enjoyed so far in 2024.
At QKA, the Work Study Program is integral to our community inclusion efforts. Our staff teaches students essential life skills, from budgeting and following multistep instructions to teamwork, social skills and work stamina. These skills are necessary for daily living and help students become more confident.
“As my students often hear me say, a life skill is mastered once you can do it at school, home and in the community,” says Erin Hennessy, Work-Study Program Lead Teacher. “Heading off campus to restaurants, stores, volunteer sites, and other local businesses helps QKA students build social skills, increase their independence, and prove that those life skills are mastered!”
The Joy in Mastering Real-World Situations
Our clients of varying ages find joy in applying the skills they’ve learned at Quest to real-world situations. We work closely with caretakers and families to ensure that each outing is safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. We also partner with individuals, local businesses and organizations to bridge the gap between the community and people with developmental disabilities.
Join Us
We invite you to support this critical effort. Let’s positively impact the lives of people with developmental disabilities and create a more inclusive Central Florida. We hope you’ll contribute by donating, volunteering, attending an event, or gifting an experience.