ABOUT DISABILITYSA
OUR VISIONTo make San Antonio the #1 community where people with disabilities want to live, learn, work, and play.
OUR MISSIONThe mission of disABILITYsa is to educate, advance, and engage individuals with disabilities by building connections, exchanging information, creating opportunities, and strengthening our disability community in the greater San Antonio area.
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disABILITYsa connects people with all types of disabilities and their families to information about local resources, programs and opportunities that promote independence and inclusion where they live, work and play.
OUR objectives
EDUCATE: Exchange information, resources, ideas and support between people with all types of disabilities and the organizations that serve them.
ADVANCE: Advance public attitudes, awareness, respect and consideration for success of individuals with disabilities.
ENGAGE: Engage individuals with disabilities as active participants in their communities.
STRENGTHEN: Strengthen organizations that provide services which benefit people with disabilities.
ADVANCE: Advance public attitudes, awareness, respect and consideration for success of individuals with disabilities.
ENGAGE: Engage individuals with disabilities as active participants in their communities.
STRENGTHEN: Strengthen organizations that provide services which benefit people with disabilities.
SAN ANTONIO MAGAZINE TELLS THE DISABILITYSA STORY
In a recent interview with San Antonio Magazine, disABILITYsa's Executive Director, Melanie Cawthon, had the opportunity to tell the story of disABILITYsa from beginning through today. Looking at our programs, opportunities, and the issue impacting individuals living with a disability in our local community, the article gives a great overview for the organization.
Click the link to read the article:
http://www.sanantoniomag.com/January-2018/Melanie-R-Cawthon/
Click the link to read the article:
http://www.sanantoniomag.com/January-2018/Melanie-R-Cawthon/
current BOARDJane Paccione, Interim Chair
San Antonio Area Foundation Pamela Kelly, Past Chair (RET) Executive Director, RMI Sandy Liwang, Vice Chair Alcoa Electronic & Electrical Solutions Ryan Markmann, Secretary Transition Teacher, NEISD Marissa Gonzalez, Treasurer The Fuentes Firm, P.C. Albert Sawyer X8, LLC John Heard Heard & Smith Claudia Diaz United Healthcare, C&S Contact: [email protected]
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FOUNDING STAKEHOLDERS (2007)Cynthia R. Hamilton
Melanie R. Cawthon Peter and Janet Grojean FOUNDING BOARD (2016)Cynthia R. Hamilton
Melanie R. Cawthon Kathleen Finck Barbara C. Kyse FOUNDer's CIRCLEMary Pat and Michael Bolner
Melanie R. Cawthon Ruth and Michael Cawthon Mary Jane Clark Crystal W Darby Claudette and Anthony Gentry Judie and Paul Gustafson J. Keith and Cynthia Hamilton Barbara Kyse Deaf Interpreter Services, Inc. Kay and .Clarence C Simpson, II Kenneth and Debra Wilson |
MELANIE R. CAWTHON, Co-Founder / Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Melanie Cawthon, started working on disABILITYsa in 2007 along with her fellow co-founders Cynthia Hamilton and Janet Grojean as a collaborative effort to support individuals living with disabilities in the San Antonio community. Melanie has over 19 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with 14 of those working for organizations serving individuals with disabilities. Melanie has her Bachelors of Business from UTSA and her Master's in Nonprofit Management from OLLU. Melanie lead the organization through the process of incorporating and becoming a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2016. Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry Contact Us.
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Melanie Cawthon, started working on disABILITYsa in 2007 along with her fellow co-founders Cynthia Hamilton and Janet Grojean as a collaborative effort to support individuals living with disabilities in the San Antonio community. Melanie has over 19 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with 14 of those working for organizations serving individuals with disabilities. Melanie has her Bachelors of Business from UTSA and her Master's in Nonprofit Management from OLLU. Melanie lead the organization through the process of incorporating and becoming a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2016. Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry Contact Us.
ANNETE PAULIN, Chief Operating Officer
Annette Paulin holds over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector serving on senior leadership teams, in operations and project management, and as an organizational development and capacity building consultant. Prior to joining disABILITYsa as Chief Operating Officer, she served in roles with the team as a contract grant writer, capacity building consultant and program manager. Ms. Paulin originally came to San Antonio to serve on the development team of the San Antonio Symphony and recently served to help establish the development department of the newly formed San Antonio Philharmonic. Prior, she lived in San Marcos where she owned a community-based music school and nonprofit contract and consulting business. Ms. Paulin grew up in Florida where she spent much time out in nature and continues to enjoy outdoor activities along with other creative pursuits in music, art, and aerials. Ms. Paulin holds a degree in Environmental Studies from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL and a Master Certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of Texas – San Antonio. Contact Us.
Annette Paulin holds over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector serving on senior leadership teams, in operations and project management, and as an organizational development and capacity building consultant. Prior to joining disABILITYsa as Chief Operating Officer, she served in roles with the team as a contract grant writer, capacity building consultant and program manager. Ms. Paulin originally came to San Antonio to serve on the development team of the San Antonio Symphony and recently served to help establish the development department of the newly formed San Antonio Philharmonic. Prior, she lived in San Marcos where she owned a community-based music school and nonprofit contract and consulting business. Ms. Paulin grew up in Florida where she spent much time out in nature and continues to enjoy outdoor activities along with other creative pursuits in music, art, and aerials. Ms. Paulin holds a degree in Environmental Studies from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL and a Master Certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of Texas – San Antonio. Contact Us.
LORI DAY, Advancement Program Director
Originally from Houston, Lori moved to San Antonio to attend Texas A&M San Antonio. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Legal Studies and Special Education. Lori is active in the community, volunteering with over 15 different organizations in San Antonio. Due to her involvement in the community, she was led to work in non-profit organizations. Since she enjoyed the work so much, she wanted to continue supporting the community in the same way her own community had done for her growing up. Lori looks forward to working with the rest of the team and community members at disABILITYsa. In her free time, Lori likes to work on art projects, hang out with friends, and play with her roommates' cats (Alfie and Ollie). Contact Us.
Originally from Houston, Lori moved to San Antonio to attend Texas A&M San Antonio. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Legal Studies and Special Education. Lori is active in the community, volunteering with over 15 different organizations in San Antonio. Due to her involvement in the community, she was led to work in non-profit organizations. Since she enjoyed the work so much, she wanted to continue supporting the community in the same way her own community had done for her growing up. Lori looks forward to working with the rest of the team and community members at disABILITYsa. In her free time, Lori likes to work on art projects, hang out with friends, and play with her roommates' cats (Alfie and Ollie). Contact Us.
MATTHEW LUGO, Engagement Program Director
Matthew grew up in the small town of San Benito Texas for a majority of his life. When he graduated high school he moved to San Antonio to continue his education and pursue a degree in Psychology. Matthew has spent the last three years working as a Behavior Therapist with children on the Autism Spectrum, which is where he developed his passion for inclusion for all people with disabilities and to provide resources for the community. Matthew believes his calling in life is to make a difference in the world one step at a time, so he hopes to continue working hard to make that happen here with disABILITYsa! On his free time, you’ll usually catch Matthew visiting Six Flags Fiesta Texas, going to eat with his friends and family, or he may just be home catching up on the latest popular anime. Contact Us.
Matthew grew up in the small town of San Benito Texas for a majority of his life. When he graduated high school he moved to San Antonio to continue his education and pursue a degree in Psychology. Matthew has spent the last three years working as a Behavior Therapist with children on the Autism Spectrum, which is where he developed his passion for inclusion for all people with disabilities and to provide resources for the community. Matthew believes his calling in life is to make a difference in the world one step at a time, so he hopes to continue working hard to make that happen here with disABILITYsa! On his free time, you’ll usually catch Matthew visiting Six Flags Fiesta Texas, going to eat with his friends and family, or he may just be home catching up on the latest popular anime. Contact Us.
TBD, Education Program Director
Coming soon....
Coming soon....
JANICE PEREZ, Communications & Outreach Director
Janice received her Bachelors in Public Administration with a Minor in Mass Communication from Texas State University. She spent much of her time there staying involved with community organizations and organizing volunteer work for fellow students and dedicating time to nonprofits knowing that is what she wanted to do in life. With a devotion to give back to the San Antonio community, Janice is very grateful to do just that through disABILITYsa, where she gets to meet, collaborate with and assist the very inspiring members of our community every day. She is affiliated with community groups like SAVA and PRSA. When she's not out in the community promoting disABILITYsa programs, you can catch her roller-skating around town or exploring the depths Canyon Lake! Contact Us.
Janice received her Bachelors in Public Administration with a Minor in Mass Communication from Texas State University. She spent much of her time there staying involved with community organizations and organizing volunteer work for fellow students and dedicating time to nonprofits knowing that is what she wanted to do in life. With a devotion to give back to the San Antonio community, Janice is very grateful to do just that through disABILITYsa, where she gets to meet, collaborate with and assist the very inspiring members of our community every day. She is affiliated with community groups like SAVA and PRSA. When she's not out in the community promoting disABILITYsa programs, you can catch her roller-skating around town or exploring the depths Canyon Lake! Contact Us.
CHRISTY MUNSON, Administrative Support Specialist
Christy Munson is a Strategic Planner with 12 years experience in non-profit management. She has spent the last decade working with local San Antonio organizations to raise awareness, expand community impact and increase donor development. Christy has a BA In English and minored in non-profit management from UTSA. Contact Us.
Christy Munson is a Strategic Planner with 12 years experience in non-profit management. She has spent the last decade working with local San Antonio organizations to raise awareness, expand community impact and increase donor development. Christy has a BA In English and minored in non-profit management from UTSA. Contact Us.
ANGELA PFLIPSEN, Navigation Specialist
Angela Pflipsen is a St. Philip's graduate with an Associates in Medical Administration. She has over 13 years in customer service and volunteer experience. She works to raise awareness for disability advocacy and raise awareness for the disability community of San Antonio. Contact Us.
Angela Pflipsen is a St. Philip's graduate with an Associates in Medical Administration. She has over 13 years in customer service and volunteer experience. She works to raise awareness for disability advocacy and raise awareness for the disability community of San Antonio. Contact Us.
get involved
Contributions
You are invited to make a gift online or send a check made payable to disABILITYsa and send to P.O. Box 28243, San Antonio, Texas 78228.
IRS Determination Letter
Packages
You are invited to send any in-kind donations and/or packages to our physical offices located at 2515 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas 78212.
Volunteer
Want to help? Visit our HOW TO GET INVOLVED page to learn more about how you can get engaged with disABILITYsa.
You are invited to make a gift online or send a check made payable to disABILITYsa and send to P.O. Box 28243, San Antonio, Texas 78228.
IRS Determination Letter
Packages
You are invited to send any in-kind donations and/or packages to our physical offices located at 2515 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas 78212.
Volunteer
Want to help? Visit our HOW TO GET INVOLVED page to learn more about how you can get engaged with disABILITYsa.
