Courtesy photo. Mistress of Ceremonies Leslie Foster, Emmy Award-winning journalist and WUSA anchor.

Published on: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

By Rabiah Alicia Burks, Special to the Sentinel

Youth with disabilities are leaping through changes in their lives with the assistance of the HSC Foundation’s Life Enrichment Awards Program that has provided critical tools such as professional clothing, customized computers, and even voice lessons for youth who are transitioning into new careers or seeking higher education.

On Oct. 15, the HSC Foundation – along with its 22 community partner organizations, including The Arc of Prince George’s County and Prince George’s Tennis & Education Foundation, Inc. – honored 22 transitioning youth ages 15-26 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. 

Emmy Award-winning journalist Leslie Foster was the Mistress of Ceremonies. LEAP Award recipient Kentrell Herres, 15, received a standing ovation for his performance of “La Calunnia E Un Venticello” from “The Barber of Seville” by Rossini at the dinner. Herres was awarded voice lessons to help him pursue his dream of becoming an opera singer.

LEAP’s goal is to provide items that youth with disabilities may need to transition into the next phase of their lives. “Their lives are changing dramatically and, in some cases, they are moving away from home to dorms to their own apartments to group houses,” said Jessie Mackinnon, HSC Foundation vice president for Program and Partnership Development. “Our goal is to try to help young people achieve their greatest level of independence in a self-directed life, and not just participate in community life but contribute — and that is what our transitions initiative is about.”

The HSC Foundation provides resources within days of notification. “The whole idea is to get the goods and services to kids when they need it, because this is a very transitional time in their lives and we can’t let them wait three months, six months, or a year to get the services they need,” said Mackinnon. “We had young people who had an opportunity to interview for professional positions and they didn’t have professional clothes or a way to get there. LEAP provides all of that.”

D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray presented the first Vincent C. Gray LEAP award to Cornelius Gaskin, 20, a student at the University of the District of Columbia. The Vincent Gray award will be given to students with disabilities who are pursuing higher education.

The HSC Foundation named this particular LEAP Award after Gray because of his commitment to improving the quality of education for students with disabilities.

Among those honored was Ciara Clark, 17, a sophomore living with autism at High Point High School in Prince George’s County who loves popcorn.

“My daughter was able to purchase a popcorn machine so that we can work on her transitional skills and have something to look forward to as she transitions out of school,” said Clark’s mother Melonee. “Also ... it is her interest and preference of food.”

Melonee Clark is also a family specialist for The Arc of Prince George’s County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to people with developmental disabilities that provides a range of services that assist them to lead productive and active lives. 

With the popcorn machine, Ciara Clark will be able to turn it into a small business of her own. “She would be able to learn how to interact with the community and it is something that is sustainable,” said Melonee Clark.

 “It would be something the school doesn’t own, it’s something that she owns so she could do it on the weekends or a weeknight, during the summer when school is not available and it just so happens to be her strong interest and love, it could become a part-time job for her.”

Dorian Cotton, 19, a student at Prince George’s County Community College, received a scholarship through the HSC Foundation to support him toward his associate’s degree in Hotel Management.

One young woman was offered a scholarship to play wheel chair basketball but could not afford a sports chair. “Through LEAP she got the chair and was able to accept the scholarship,” said Mackinnon. “Because of LEAP this young woman went to college.”