Toba Grossbaum
Toba initially founded the Friendship Circle with her husband to address the social and recreational needs of her special needs students and the lack of respite options for their parents. The success of the Friendship Circle motivated her to create LifeTown, a unique “village” that is a fully inclusive and accessible recreation, education, and therapeutic center designed for young people with special needs and their families. Participants can practice and reinforce life skills and families can enjoy fun activities in a safe environment.
Eileen Goff
Broadening independent living for those with disabilities
Eileen was a pioneer in the independent living movement, starting as an advocate for those with vision loss. After launching several leisure and work-related programs and services for the visually impaired, Eileen established hip (Heightened Independence and Progress). The agency facilitates access to housing and services for those with disabilities, provides advocacy and referrals to resources, and promotes full inclusion and accessibility to enhance independence. Eileen passed away in 2019.
Lisa Goldman & Rita Yohalem
Lisa Goldman (Left) & Rita Yohalem (Right)
Fostering recovery and helping the brain-injured realize their potential
After both of their sons experienced serious brain injuries, and seeing the many challenges that still lay ahead after medical treatment and rehabilitation, Lisa and Rita created Opportunity Project. The program offers a different approach to services in the community for brain-injured individuals in a work-oriented environment, with instructional and therapeutic activities that address the vocational, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional difficulties experienced by individuals affected by brain injury as they work on re-integrating into family, work, and community.
Douglas Roberts
Guiding the blind toward greater independence
A renowned guide dog trainer and expert in the field of instructing the blind and their matched guide dogs, Douglas has spent his life facilitating independent living for people with vision loss. He served as Chief Program Officer and Dean of the Faculty at The Seeing Eye, where he shaped the curriculum to adapt to the hazards of today’s world and improve the safety and lives of those he served. He was also an Assessor for the International Guide Dog Federation.
