Service Alternatives 2024 Annual Review
Message from our CEO
Confidence is a cornerstone of growth and lasting change. As you read this sampling of impact stories from 2024, I hope you’ll feel the joy and transformation that emerge when people are supported to believe in themselves. These stories reflect the power of confidence building and the spark that comes when the journey is also fun.
Service Alternatives provides a wide range of services to diverse individuals and organizations from training park rangers in Hawai‘i to supporting someone’s return to the workforce, from
celebrating at a community dance to co-leading a training through the art of tango. Across all of these, our mission shines through to advance the potential of our communities, our customers, and
Our Vision:
Thriving communities that empower, and are powered by, each person’s unique contributions.
Our Mission: Advancing the potential of our communities, customers, and ourselves through exceptional service.
ourselvesOur vision of thriving communities, where people empower and are empowered by one another, is brought to life in each of these stories. What connects them is our belief in a tailored, person-centered approach. True confidence is built when supports are uniquely matched to an individual or organization’s goals, and when people are trusted to rise to the challenge of growth.
You’ll see this in moments big and small: a client pursuing their dream job rather than settling; someone learning to enjoy an alcoholic beverage responsibly; a team
discovering the subtle dynamics of collaboration through dance. In each case, the approach matters and the joy is real.
The impact of confidence, support, and community is evident in every success we celebrate. With continued dedication, we will keep strengthening communities and empowering individuals to thrive— one meaningful (and often fun) experience at a time.
2024 Impact Metrics
184
Children, youth, and families served
Employment Service and WorkFirst clients
382
Clients received Residential Services 76 Respite stays provided 77
18,464
People certified in RIGHT RESPONSE deescalation training
People trained by the Training Institute
2,625
Leadership trainings provided 36
101
Licensed Foster Homes Families based support family functioning, child well-being, families
Youth entered homes through guardianship, 9
Families received evidencesupport to strengthen functioning, promote well-being, and help families stay together.
41
entered permanent through adoption, guardianship, or kinship
Hours of behavior rehabilitiation, caregiver support, and evidence based practices provided to children and families 75,000
369,088
Hours of direct service provided to clients
102
Events coordinated through Technical Assistance
301
Dialectical Behavior Therapy groups facilitated
367
Businesses provided jobs, volunteer sites, assessment sites, and community inclusion sites
44 Earned by individuals participating in community jobs $760,371
Supportive relationships developed for individuals in community inclusion services
Expanding Horizons: The Training Institute’s Growing Impact in 2024
From local communities to national landmarks, 2024 was a year of remarkable growth for SATI as it delivered high-quality training, supported large-scale events, hosted its first Hawaii-based training, and provided conference experiences that advanced knowledge, built skills, and fostered thriving communities.
Elevating Knowledge Through Conferences
Summer Simpson, Training Specialist, Dianna Kujawski, Area Manager, and Vener Azurin, Training Administrator led sessions at the West Coast Child Welfare Trainers Conference (WCCWTC) in Spokane, where trainers from five states gathered to enhance leadership, facilitation, and engagement skills.
Dianna and Vener’s pre-conference workshop, “Oh, The Road You Will Travel,” introduced creative ways to engage participants, while Dianna’s “The Trainer Tango” used Tango music to explore cotraining dynamics. Summer’s session, “In a Word,” focused on mnemonic techniques to improve knowledge retention.
Summer and Dianna also presented at the Community Summit, an event promoting employment, inclusion, and independence for individuals with disabilities. They introduced the WELD tool, a framework for Direct Support Professionals to support meaningful community inclusion. The enthusiastic response they received reinforced the importance of structured support in building lasting relationships for individuals with disabilities.
Bringing RIGHT RESPONSE ® to Hawaii
In a groundbreaking moment for SATI, the RIGHT RESPONSE program reached Hawaii for the first time. L.J. Keller, a Training Specialist, traveled to Oahu to lead a five-day Instructor Certification Course at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
L.J. trained 11 park rangers, security staff, and law enforcement officers in de-escalation techniques, with four
attendees becoming certified RIGHT RESPONSE instructors. Recognizing the emotional weight of working at such a historically significant site, he tailored the training to address visitor frustration, emotional distress, and safety concerns. Participants expressed gratitude, sharing how the training would enhance both their professional effectiveness and visitor experiences.
Strengthening Communities Through Technical Assistance
SATI’s Technical Assistance team played a vital role in organizing large-scale training events throughout Washington. Partnering with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), SATI helped coordinate two hybrid training events: the Person-Centered Planning Symposium and a special film screening for Native American Heritage Month. These events brought people together to share knowledge, celebrate culture, and enhance support systems.
Additionally, the team partnered with Snohomish County to coordinate the local transition fair, a milestone event for high school students with disabilities. By connecting high schoolers to essential services, job opportunities, and community resources, the fair empowered students and their families to navigate the path to adulthood with confidence and support.
Building Careers, Creating Stability: The Power of Long-Term Employment Support
Employment is more than just a paycheck. It is a pathway to independence, confidence, and community connection. For those supported by Service Alternatives’ Employment Services, finding the right job is only the beginning. The true impact comes from ongoing support that helps individuals build skills, navigate challenges, and sustain meaningful careers.
A Path Back to Work: Support That Makes a Difference
For one woman, returning to work after many years felt overwhelming. She had experience in childcare but had been out of the workforce for a long time. Unsure where to start, she connected with Service Alternatives through the Foundational Community Supports (FCS) program and was paired with Christine Handley, Employment Specialist, who was determined to help her succeed.
Christine knew finding the right fit was key. Together, they visited multiple childcare centers, met directors, and explored different work environments.
After touring several facilities, one director showed interest and requested a resume. With Christine’s support, she prepared for the interview, got the job, and began gathering necessary employment documentation including transcripts, immunization records, and state training certifications.
She was officially hired in May 2024 and completed onboarding in June. However, just two weeks in, doubt and anxiety took over, and she wanted to quit. She worried she was not meeting expectations. Instead of letting her walk away, Christine facilitated a meeting between the woman and her employer, where they openly discussed her concerns. The director assured her, saying “I want to make you feel safe and comfortable engaging with me and your coworkers. You can always come to me with questions.”
With that encouragement and continued support, she regained her confidence and stayed. Today, she is thriving in her role.
Turning Dreams Into Reality: A Student’s Journey to Employment
Not all jobs come from traditional hiring processes. Some require creativity and customization to fit a person’s strengths. For individuals transitioning from school to the workforce, Job Foundation Services provide an early connection to employment opportunities by working with students in their final years of school to identify their strengths, career interests, and support needs.
One student, determined to work at Trader Joe’s, received guidance through Job Foundation and the School-toWork program, where Employment Specialists fully prepared them for the hiring process. Not only did they secure a position at Trader Joe’s, but with long-term support, they gained confidence and eventually learned to advocate for themselves in the workplace.
Finding a job is just the start.
Keeping a job, building a career, and gaining workplace confidence require ongoing support. Through FCS, Job Foundations, and customized employment, Service Alternatives empowers individuals to create lasting careers and reach their full potential.
Nevaeh’s Next Chapter: A Year of Progress and Purpose
2024 became a pivotal year for Neveah, defined by academic achievement, personal development, and community involvement.
Nevaeh’s journey with Service Alternatives began in 2020. Over the years, she has demonstrated resilience, determination, and growth. In 2024, Nevaeh’s hard work in school paid off when she was accepted into a career center in June. She was able to take specialized courses at the career center, including a class where she created handcrafted holiday gifts for her family and friends! This opportunity reinforced her creativity and sense of accomplishment.
Beyond academics, Nevaeh expanded her involvement in her community. Through the 4-H program, she trained and showed her foster family’s golden retriever at the local fair, gaining handson experience in responsibility and leadership. Her confidence grew as she built new friendships and strengthened her communication skills.
One of her most meaningful milestones came in November, when she took a leadership role in supporting others.
As part of Compelled to Care, a program that provides resources for young people in foster care, Nevaeh helped assemble and distribute care boxes for other youth. This experience not only gave her the chance to give back, but also reinforced her commitment to helping others navigate challenges like those she has faced.
Each of these accomplishments played a role in shaping Nevaeh’s future. She continues to build resilience, develop leadership skills, and strengthen her commitment to making a difference. She aspires to become a social worker, using her experiences to guide and support other young people as they pursue their own success.
Nevaeh’s journey demonstrates that with persistence, support, and opportunity potential can be unlocked and success can be achieved. Her story is a powerful reminder to never give up.
As she looks ahead, Nevaeh carries with her not just memories of a transformative year, but a growing belief in her own abilities. She has become a role model for her peers— showing that growth comes in many forms, and that every step forward, no matter how small, matters. With her eyes set on a future in social work, Nevaeh is already creating a ripple effect, inspiring others and turning her challenges into purpose.
The Power of Patience and Love: Adam and David’s Path to Fostering
Adam and David, a couple from Vancouver, welcomed their first foster placement in 2024 through Service Alternatives.
As a teenager in foster care, Adam experienced several difficult placements before being welcomed into a home with caring foster parents that provided necessary structure and encouragement. Having seen the impact that unstable and unsupportive placements can have on a child, Adam and David are committed to providing a safe, nurturing home for children in foster care.
Adam and David spent 2023 completing the licensing process through Service Alternatives. In August of 2024, they welcomed their first foster placement, an 8-year-old boy. As expected, the adjustment to a new home was difficult, and the child tested boundaries and struggled with trust. Adam and David remained patient, provided a structured environment with clear expectations for school, chores, and daily routines, and made time for fun family activities. They went camping, skiing, and took trips to the movies, which created moments of joy and connection. Over time, the child became more comfortable, began to trust his foster parents, and enjoyed spending time with Adam and David’s extended family during the holidays.
As the months passed, their foster son expressed he would love to have a sister and Adam and David felt ready to expand their family. In November, they welcomed a 13-yearold girl with autism. The new dynamic brought fresh challenges, but Adam
and David approached them with patience, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to learning. They adapted their parenting strategies, sought out resources, and remained open to new approaches to ensure both children felt safe, valued, and supported.
Adam and David credit their success to their strong communication as a couple and their ability to balance structure with understanding. They set firm expectations with empathy and flexibility to meet the unique needs of each child. Their greatest reward has been seeing both children thrive, especially the 8-yearold boy, who they are now trying to adopt.
Their journey has had a ripple effect, inspiring those around them to consider fostering, including one of Adam’s siblings and a hospital co-worker. Their advice to others considering fostering is simple, yet profound: lead with heart, stay open minded, ask questions, and be willing to adapt – because every child is worth the effort.
Embracing New Experiences: The Power of Community Inclusion
Community inclusion is more than just being present, it is about belonging, learning, and growing. In 2024, four individuals supported by Service Alternatives’ Residential Services program embraced new experiences that challenged them, expanded their independence, and strengthened their social skills.
Travis, Bo, and Dennis traveled to the Community Summit to step outside their daily routines and experience something new. Travis and Bo were both drawn to the conference’s evening dance, eager for a fun, social atmosphere where they could practice social skills that had been challenging for them in the past.
Travis was able to enjoy a beer responsibly and practice social pacing by taking a sip of his beverage, setting his drink down, dancing, and returning for another sip. By the end of the night, he was navigating the social setting in a way that helped him feel both included and in control.
Bo often struggled navigating social interactions and would eagerly jump into conversations without understanding boundaries. At the conference, he attended a relationship and consent session, which reinforced skills he had been working on for months. At the dance, he respectfully and confidently asked a Service Alternatives employee if he could dance with her. Later he struck up a conversation with another attendee and exchanged contact information with them. It was a powerful moment of connection, showing how small and intentional guidance can build meaningful skills.
For Dennis, the conference meant something entirely different. For years, he had dreamed of going swimming, yet each time the opportunity arose, he would back out at the last moment. Staff encouraged him to move his chair closer to the water and dip a toe in the hot tub. His smile said it all when he was able to finally celebrate feeling the water for the first time!
While Travis, Bo, and Dennis found growth through social interactions and personal challenges, others, like Annie, discovered empowerment in everyday routines. After an injury left Annie using a wheelchair, she reclaimed her confidence through weekly visits to the nail salon, where she formed friendships with the staff and embraced self-care as a way to express herself. Dressed in her Seahawks gear,
she rolled in for her appointments proudly showing off her team-themed nails. It was more than just a routine – it was a statement of resilience and self-acceptance.
Whether through dancing, meeting new people, stepping into the water, or embracing a personal routine, these individuals demonstrated that community is built one experience at a time.
Inclusion is not just about access, it is about creating spaces where everyone can grow, connect, and celebrate their progress, no matter how big or small.
