Kinexion, a management service organization that supports seven organizations to provide lifetime support for people with disabilities, announced their 2024 Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grant honorees.
Designed to support the women associated within the Kinexion Network’s affiliate agencies, the grant program encourages staff and/or people living with disabilities to pursue their dreams through education, travel, and extracurricular activities.
The Kinexion Network includes Independent Group Home Living Program (IGHL), The New Interdisciplinary School, The Center for Developmental Disabilities, Angela's House, Head Injury Association, Maryhaven, and East End Disability Associates.
The 2024 Kinexion Network Women Empowerment Grants were awarded to Nicole Johnson, an employee of Angela’s House; Kerri Mahoney, house manager for IGHL; Lauren Bianco, a member of the Maryhaven community; Kelly Thomas, a member of the Maryhaven community; and Allison Haddock, a member of the IGHL community.
“We are proud to honor these five women with our second annual Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grants,” said Mary Beth Lichtneger, Chief Operating Officer, Kinexion Network. “All of us at Kinexion work toward the same goal – to create and support a world that embraces people of all abilities. Nicole, Kerri, Lauren, Kelly and Allison are true advocates for the community, and we are grateful to play a role in supporting their goals.”
Nicole Johnson is an employee of Angela’s House who has successfully written a children’s book. The Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grant will provide the funds for her to illustrate, publish, and market the book. Nicole’s book encourages the world to be more accepting and inclusive of people living with disabilities.
Kerri Mahoney is a House Manager at IGHL, where she cares for medically frail people with disabilities. She is also a mother and a wife with a loving husband of 22 years. As a working mom, it can often be difficult for Kerri and her husband to take the time to do things for themselves. The Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grant will allow them to enroll in ballroom dancing classes, an activity for the two of them to bond and create lasting memories.
Lauren Bianco is a member of the Maryhaven Community who attends the Higher Learning program. As an aspiring photographer, the Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grant will support her desire to travel to Yellowstone National Park with her mom to capture the wildlife in their natural habitat.
Kelly Thomas is a member of the Maryhaven Community and is the President of the Self Advocacy Committee, advocating for the needs/wants of people with disabilities. She also supports the Maryhaven Foundation by participating in the annual Heart of The Harvest Fundraising event. Kelly is employed at Sunrise Senior Living as an Activity Assistant. The Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grant will support Kelly in her goal of obtaining her degree in Recreational Therapy to further her career.
Allison Hallock is a member of the IGHL community and participates in the Self-Advocacy program. She describes herself as happy, friendly and caring. Allison loves to be as independent as possible and hopes to one day be able to walk. She loves the beach and has been advocating for beaches in our community to be accessible to all, this includes having the availability of beach-accessible wheelchairs for visitors. The Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grant will support Allison's advocacy work to purchase a beach-accessible wheelchair so everyone can enjoy the water.
The Kinexion Women’s Empowerment Grants were recently awarded at this year’s 14th Annual Fashion Fling hosted at the Westhampton Country Club in partnership with Tanger Outlets. Members of the Kinexion community modeled this year’s fashion trends supplied by Chico’s and J Crew.
Kinexion is a collective 300-million-dollar organization, employing 3,700 staff members and providing services to approximately 6,500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Long Island. There are seven affiliate agencies serving Long Island that comprise the Kinexion network, including: Independent Group Home Living Program, Inc.; The New Interdisciplinary School; The Center for Developmental Disabilities, Inc.; Angela's House (ATDC); Head Injury Association, Inc.; Maryhaven, Inc.; and, East End Disability Associates, Inc.