About L.A. GOAL
L.A. GOAL is a non-profit organization that partners with adults with developmental disabilities and their support networks to assist them in living more fulfilling lives. Our goal is to create more opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to thrive across all aspects of life, have meaningful relationships, and feel a sense of belonging within society. We continuously strive to understand our Members’ needs, how they evolve over time, and how they are affected by shifting societal dynamics and inequities. We help the public see beyond ability or disability to honor the core being of our Members and ourselves.
Our Mission
L.A. GOAL provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to increase their independence and employability through educational, vocational and recreational programs. L.A. GOAL’s art and outreach activities educate the community about the abilities of people with disabilities.
Woman wearing tie-dye shirt and glasses sketching.
Woman with glasses and coral shirt washing dishes.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a more open society where people with developmental disabilities can enjoy full inclusion in their communities. To accomplish this, L.A. GOAL teaches the world about how people with developmental disabilities can better our lives. It is a magical reciprocity that we believe has long been overlooked.
Our Method
Take a human-centered approach
We accept, honor, and unconditionally value our Members and their caretakers. We are curious about their interests, passions, and unique qualities and are delighted when their true essence shines.
Create a supportive environment
We take great care in creating an inclusive environment that facilitates growth and creates opportunities while acknowledging the reality of societal barriers.
Offer comprehensive programming
Our robust programs extend to all aspects of our Members’ lives, so they are free to explore and share more of themselves.
Promote interdependence and connection
Isolation, loneliness, and depression are among the greatest challenges for our Members. We work hard to dispel these challenges by creating community and belonging, and by showing our Members that someone cares.
Lead with kindness and love
We seek to understand our Members’ deepest needs and desires and use our hearts and skills to help them through any challenge.
Fully commit for greater impact
We cap our membership at 85 individuals, so we can provide comprehensive, lifelong support to every Member and their 300 family members/caregivers. Our approach is unique because it supports Members at every stage of their lives, from transitioning to adulthood to managing the challenges of aging.
Man with glasses working on clay sculpture.
Our Environment
We are focused on creating an environment that facilitates growth and creates opportunities while acknowledging the reality of societal barriers. We listen to our Members to understand the challenges they experience living in a society that regularly stigmatizes and discriminates against people with disabilities.
We know that discrimination against people with disabilities (ableism) intersects with other forms of discrimination in our society, such as racism, classism, and sexism. As such, being committed to supporting our Members to thrive means being committed to not only ending ableism, but also other forms of discrimination. Within our organization, this means focusing our efforts on creating an environment that encourages learning, growth, mutual respect, accountability to one another, and supporting each other to have our needs met. When people’s needs are met, they are free to enjoy more possibilities in life. We collaborate with our Members and their support networks to forge a more equitable path forward for all of us.
Our Values
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Interdependence
We build an environment where people know they can rely on each other. Interdependence helps people feel supported and included.
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Growth
We strive to continually cultivate ourselves and our Members, and are always seeking better ways to teach and support our Members.
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Inclusion
We see each person for who they are—not based on ability or disability. We aim to be the example for true equity within society.
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Learning
Our Members have many opportunities to enrich their lives by learning more about the world and themselves. We learn daily from our Members too.
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Community
We operate like a family, promoting interpersonal connection and creating a warm environment where people can be themselves.