Catalyst Impact Story
Jay
Building Stronger Communities Since 1983
Because We All Deserve a
Place Where We Belong.
All communities, from the urban apartments of San Diego to the small town-feel of Stockton, have individuals with a variety of experiences and disabilities who need meaningful support to live independently, build confidence, and feel connected to the communities they call home. Adjoin exists to provide that support, creating pathways for people to discover their strengths, form authentic relationships, and thrive.
The spirit of giving back is strongest when it comes from someone with lived experience. Once sparked, this desire to pay it forward has a way of transforming circumstance into motivation. Jay is one of those people who found power in his experience, channeling his determination to lift everyone around him.
Before all of that, Jay started as a client of Adjoin seeking services to live independently in his community. Before connecting with Adjoin, Jay often found it difficult to navigate independence and build positive relationships with others. Impeded by his limited range of motion, navigating public spaces and completing everyday tasks were challenging and frustrating. Jay recalls his journey with Adjoin starting over 13 years ago for independent living services. With Adjoin’s support, he now receives assistance with organization, transportation, and accessing the services and resources that empower him to thrive.
“Some of the struggles I have are getting along with people, getting around town since I can’t legally drive, being able to do certain things without getting frustrated. My quality of life has gotten a lot better with the help of Adjoin.”
–Jay
From the beginning, Jay was determined to continue his education and be self-sufficient in his living situation. As Jay’s confidence grew throughout the years, so did his sense of purpose.
Jay used his self-advocacy skills to become so independent that he was able to petition the courts to remove his conservatorship and become his own payee. He uses his voice to advocate for himself and everyone to have as many choices as possible, elevates his education and understanding of disability rights, and cracks jokes inspired by everyday life. As his independence grew, he became one of the first clients enrolled into a new Adjoin program–the Self-Determination Program–where he was given the autonomy to budget, choose, and manage his paid support network based on his person-centered plan.
Today, he is the proud founder of his own nonprofit dedicated to supporting others with disabilities by providing the same support he receives from Adjoin.
His nonprofit is an official vendor of the San Diego Regional Center to provide the Self-Determination Program and guide individuals toward the services they choose. Through his nonprofit, Jay helps people improve their budgeting skills, connect with community resources, and find their self-determination.
“One of my goals for the future is to travel the country speaking at different conferences about ADA rights, the rules and regulations businesses must follow, and why those protections matter.”
Adjoin met Jay when he struggled to work through his frustration, make meaningful connections with others, and see complex tasks to completion. Now, he inspires a nonprofit board of directors supporting his amazing work, guides clients through their choices, and successfully navigates through the rules and regulations of operating a nonprofit company. Adjoin continues to support Jay by helping him manage nonprofit documentation, strengthen his business skills, and maintain the momentum of his growing impact. Jay’s journey reflects what’s possible when determination meets the right support system and he is just getting started.
