A Bright Future for Cara
January 31, 2015
Cara Murphy’s can-do attitude and fierce independence are an inspiration to those around her. She may be in a wheelchair, but she drives it herself. She uses a communication device to speak with peers and staff.
She loves art and sells her paintings on her own “Cara’s Care Art” Facebook page. She uses the proceeds from her art sales to bless a charity of her choice. It’s obvious to all around her that she is destined to make a great impact in this world.
Cara’s teacher, Ashley Smallwood, loves Cara’s joyful and determined spirit. “Cara loves her independence,” Ashley explains. “She loves to be treated like an adult. She always strives to become more independent, do things on her own, and make her own decisions.”
The Murphy family owns an antique shop, and they are counting on Elim’s Crossroads program. Through Crossroads, they hope to equip Cara with the skills she needs to someday work alongside them in their family business.
Cara is working hard each day to learn essential computer and office skills so that she can contribute in her future career. Her teachers have been delighted to watch her skills grow. “Cara loves being a part of Crossroads. In the program, she is not just learning computer and email skills, she is also learning to advocate for herself. It’s so great to see her use her device and tell us that she’s looking for help or that she’d prefer to work in a different way. This all helps her gain independence,” says Ashley.
Through Elim’s Crossroads program, students like Cara are equipped with important vocational skills that will help them long after their graduation from Elim Christian School. Crossroads seeks to helps students and families navigate the often tricky transition from childhood to adulthood.
If your business, church, or organization has a need that Elim’s students could help fill, please contact Laura Schnyders at (708) 293-6509 or email laura.schnyders@elimcs.org.
Non-discrimination Policy:
It is the Standard of Elim Christian Services to admit children and adults to agency services regardless of race, color, national and ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to agency service recipients. Elim Christian Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered policies. Read Full Disclosure.