Grant Helps Entrust Improve Access to High School Transition Programs

Students with disabilities often worry about what the future will hold for them. Jonathan Isom, Entrust client and board member, knows first-hand the stresses and challenges students with disabilities face while making their way through high school. He found his high school years discouraging and considered dropping out. He graduated without knowing what opportunities were available to him or whom to turn to for help.

Now, thanks to the Yakima Valley Community Foundation (YVCF), Entrust can help students avoid experiences like Jonathan’s. In 2021, YVCF granted Entrust $50,000 to help students with disabilities access support and resources during high school to help them transition to a career, training, or post-secondary education after graduation.

The High School Transitions grant will allow Entrust to serve students and families in a variety of ways. Jonathan points out how important transportation can be for individuals with disabilities.

“I’ve sat at home for days and days on end thinking, ‘What am I gonna do?’ I want to get out of my apartment and do other things.”

With this grant, Entrust can provide transportation services to all local school districts in the Yakima Valley to help students get to and from school, jobs, and training.

This grant also helps connect up to 10% more students and families to programs that provide them with the resources they need to ease the transition from high school to post-secondary education or directly into the workforce.

Jonathan reiterates that he wishes he had found Entrust’s services sooner and how much he appreciates the opportunities this grant will afford to students and families throughout our region.

“Businesses like Entrust are very important to people with disabilities,” says Jonathan. “I’m grateful for all of the community support provided to people like me.”

We want to thank the Yakima Valley Community Foundation for their support and willingness to improve access to services for those with disabilities in our community!