Path to Independence

Grant Information
Requested	1000
Granted	1100.00
Categories	Education
Location	United States
Grant Cycle	2025

Organization Info
501c3 Organization	MYCHALS LEARNING PLACE
Sponsored Organization	Mychal's Learning Place
Organization Website	https://www.mychals.org/

Grant Description
Description	The Path to Independence program at Mychal’s Learning Place empowers youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed for meaningful employment and greater self-sufficiency. Participants, ages 8 to 22, primarily from low-income and underserved communities in Los Angeles County, receive hands-on training in areas such as food service, retail, and office administration, along with coaching in communication, budgeting, and daily living skills. Grant funds will be used to provide instructional materials, program supplies, and job coaching support that directly benefit participants. These resources will help expand the number of young people we can serve, increase access to real-world training opportunities, and strengthen partnerships with local employers committed to inclusive hiring. Through this investment, Mychal’s Learning Place will continue to create pathways toward independence and help build a more inclusive, equitable workforce for individuals with disabilities.
Used for	Grant funds will support Mychal’s Learning Place’s Path to Independence program, which helps youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build the skills needed for meaningful employment and independent living. Funding will provide job training, community-based learning experiences, and individualized coaching to help participants gain confidence and workplace readiness. This investment will empower young people with disabilities to achieve greater self-sufficiency while fostering inclusion and opportunity within the broader community.
Benefits	This funding will help create a more inclusive world where people with disabilities have equal opportunities to learn, work, and thrive. By supporting Path to Independence, the grant promotes employment equity and social participation for individuals often left out of the workforce. In doing so, it strengthens communities by fostering understanding, empathy, and shared purpose across all abilities.