EMPOWER-Rgv Disability Community Podcast

04/01/2024

Happy new year everyone! The sign up portals are open for our Night to Shine Prom for special need individuals 14 years old and over. This year we will be at the Jacob Brown Auditorium on February 9, 2024 from 6-9pm. The first link is for special guests and the second one is for our volunteers that want to accompany our guests on a beautiful magical night. Please share far and wide as we expect a magnificent turnout as always. Let’s Dance!

Feliz Año Nuevo a todos! Los portales de inscripción están abiertos para nuestro baile Night to Shine para personas con necesidades especiales de 14 años o más. Este año estaremos en el Auditorio Jacob Brown el 9 de febrero de 2024 de 6 a 9 p.m. El primer enlace es para invitados especiales y el segundo es para nuestros voluntarios que quieran acompañar a nuestros invitados en una hermosa noche mágica. Por favor, comparta con todas partes, ya que esperamos una participación magnífica, como siempre. ¡Vamos a bailar!

GUESTS SIGN UP/ INVITADOS
https://downbytheborder.wufoo.com/forms/2024timtebows-night-to-shine-guest-registration/

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP/ VOLUNTARIOS
https://downbytheborder.wufoo.com/forms/2024-night-to-shine-volunteer-registration/

29/12/2023

Sharing this upcoming event hosted by our friends at Disability Chamber of Commerce - RGV!

A family fun filled time for a Great cause!💙

08/12/2023

A Christmas Message from our friends at Disability Chamber of Commerce - RGV ‼️👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

(Copied Text)

As we embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season, we're thrilled to introduce a special initiative in collaboration with the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV. We're launching a holiday giveaway dedicated to individuals with disabilities ages 18 and above. The spotlight is on providing an essential tool – a laptop – to those who could benefit tremendously for work or school purposes.

Here's the heart of it: we want you to nominate someone who embodies resilience, determination, and inspiration. We're looking for individuals who not only deserve this practical gift but are also making a significant impact through their advocacy or personal story. Share with us why they stand out, why a laptop would make a difference in their journey, and how their story inspires others. Let's come together to make this holiday season brighter for someone deserving. Stay tuned for more details on how to nominate and be a part of this heartwarming giveaway!

Sincerely,
DCCRGV Board

Link to nominate:
https://dccrgv.wufoo.com/forms/m18waav30klivxl/

04/10/2023

Season 2 Episode 1 NOW STREAMING‼️ 🎉

Please join special guests, Pam Peña, Yvette B.Molina and I as we discuss Epilepsy Awareness and learn how to register for the upcoming Walk to END Epilepsy event this November! 💜

Listen and Watch Season 2 Episode 1 here👇
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/e29j6fl

Or on the EMPOWER-Rgv Disability Community Podcast website👇
https://linktr.ee/empowerrgvdcpodcast

For more information and Resources on Epilepsy, please visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas website @ 👇

Efcst.org

To learn more and register for the Walk to END Epilepsy event please visit 👇

https://www.classy.org/event/walk-to-end-epilepsy-rio-grande-valley-2023/e505091

For additional support please visit the Facebook group, RGV Epilepsy Support Group.

If you would like to contact special Guest Pam Peña, You may email her at:
[email protected]

02/10/2023

🚨 SEASON 2 EPISODE 1 STREAMING THIS WEDNESDAY‼️

Meet Special Guest, Yvette Barrera-Molina!💜

👇👇👇

"I am Yvette Barrera-Molina. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart and have two amazing children. In addition to my roles as wife and mother, I have been in education for 22 years. During that time, I was a special education teacher and now an educational diagnostician going on 10 years. I have been on both sides of the ARD/IEP table with my most difficult role being a parent. My son is diagnosed with intractable epilepsy or drug resistant epilepsy. He has gone through numerous tests to find answers and has undergone two brain surgeries. God had place me on my path of special education and advocating long before my son was born. But now I see His plan."

01/10/2023

👀‼️

Sharing for our friends Disability Chamber of Commerce - RGV

The Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV in partnership with the Texas Governor's Committee on People With Disabilities and Texas Workforce Commission are co-hosting the Texas HireAbility Employer Forum & Lex Frieden Employment Awards Edinburg, TX.

Come celebrate National Disability Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October by joining us as we honor outstanding employers, organizations and individuals who are fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace!

Great presentations, employer panel & Keynote Presenter is movie and television star RJ Mitte!

📅 Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
🕙 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch included
$40 per attendee
CEUs provided
Register here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-texas-hireability-employer-forum-lex-frieden-employment-awards-tickets-678019002087

01/10/2023

🚨 SEASON 2 EPISODE 1 STREAMING THIS WEDNESDAY‼️

Meet Special Guest, Palmira "Pam" Pena!💜

👇👇👇

"My name is Palmira Pena and I go by Pam. I am currently employed by the Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas as a Community Relations Associate. I have been married for 23 years to Leonel Pena and we have two kids. Our daughter is attending Purdue Northwest playing soccer and studying electrical engineering and a 9 year old son who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. His medical conditions have lit a fire inside me to seek better medical intervention for him and for others as well as being his advocate in the community and for his education. I have a bachelor's degree in political science that I best utilized when I was employed with Hidalgo county as a Juvenile Probation Officer for over 18 years. In 2019 I had the honor of being selected to participate in the Texas Partners in Policymaking program and was amazed by the many services, point of views and the history of people of disabilities have fought hard to reach for. The education I received as a participant was invaluable and only drove me further to advocate for my son and others like him. As an associate for EFCST I want the whole valley to know the importance of treatment for epilepsy. Promoting the November Walk to END Epilepsy in the RGV is important to me as I can recall the early years of my son's diagnosis feeling all alone. It's a journey no family should go alone through."

08/09/2023

ATTENTION ATTENTION‼️

Our friends at Sea Turtle, Inc are hosting a Sensory Friendly event Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 4:30pm-7pm. Be sure to go by and enjoy viewing and learning about sea turtles and thank them for all of the AMAZING work they do!🥰🐢

Event info below!! 👇👇👇

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💖 🐢 Space is limited. Tickets are $7 for general admission. Get tickets here: https://sea-turtle-inc-store.myshopify.com/collections/summer-programs/products/sensory-friendly-night

We will have dimmed lights, quiet music, sensory devices available (first come first serve), and a quiet room available. There will also be a discount on admission for sensory friendly night.

This is a great opportunity for people with sensory sensitivities to learn about sea turtles in a comfortable and supportive environment. Thank you! 💖

01/08/2023

BiG memories!🥰

01/08/2023

Congratulations to our friends at BiG Heroes, Inc on their 6th anniversary‼️ 🥳 🎉

If you're in the neighborhood stop by and say hello, take a tour, meet the heroes and enjoy some sweets and refreshments! 😋

Thank you Big Heroes for blessing our community!!🥰💙

24/07/2023

🚨 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY‼️

*See post below 👇for details!*

🌟 EXCITING NEWS! In honor of the upcoming 33rd Americans with Disability Act Anniversary the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV is thrilled to announce an empowering scholarship opportunity!

🎓 SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS:
Are you 18 or over and dreaming of creating a lasting impact within the disability community? This scholarship opportunity is for you!

Funds can be used for transportation to your current workplace OR to pursue continuing education at a 2-year, 4-year, or technical college. 🚌🎓Alternatively, if you've got an entrepreneurial idea, we're here to fuel your start-up dreams!

To apply, you'll need to fill out a short application (please email [email protected] to have it sent over to you) and create a short video (less than 2 mins) that showcases your passion for self-advocacy and how you plan to use the scholarship opportunity.

As part of the application please include a headshot picture to give us a glimpse of the incredible person behind the application! 📸

The winner of the scholarship will be announced at the end of the Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary week across all our social media platforms!

📅 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday July 28, 2023 (extended until Wednesday August 2nd)
🔗 APPLY NOW: Must be 17 and older to apply and reside in the RGV
More info: Call +1 (956) 502-0055

The ADA represents more than just letters; it's a symbol of empowerment, equal opportunities, and a commitment to inclusivity.

So tag someone with a disability who deserves this scholarship and spread this post.

Let's celebrate and uplift the incredible talents within our disability community.

04/07/2023

⭐️⭐️❤️🤍💙VENDORS NEEDED FOR AN AMAZING CAR SHOW BENEFIT for BiG Heroes, Inc presented by STX Overland. ❤️🤍💙⭐️⭐️

✨DATE: Sunday, July 16, 2023
✨TIME: 12pm-6pm
✨LOCATION: The Lucky Barrel Bar & Grill

Details: outdoors, allowed one 10x10 canopy, chairs, no drinks, some snacks are welcomed.

Please DM me if interested.

✨Only $35 a spot. ✨

14/06/2023

Sharing for our Friends at VAIL Center for Independent Living !

👀 👇👇👇

Save the date!!!📣📣📣

Our 33rd Annual Americans with Disabilities Act celebration! Stay tuned for more information on vendor, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities!

Thank you once again toHidalgo County Precinct 2 Indoor Sports Complex for hosting our event at your location!

31/05/2023

SEASON 01 FINALE NOW STREAMING‼️ 🎉

Please join us as we close out Season 01 with The Disability Chamber of Commerce - RGV founders , Evelyn Cano, Esmer Leal(image not shown), and Stephanie Wilson! This DYNAMIC Trio of ladies speak on how the DCC came to be, what drives them, how they work together for the greater good, and offer words of wisdom to others listening who are venturing into the advocacy and non profit world. You do NOT want to miss this!

Listen and Watch Here👇
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/MZ7SAJg4eAb

Or on the EMPOWER-Rgv Disability Community Podcast website👇
https://linktr.ee/empowerrgvdcpodcast

30/05/2023

This weeks’ episode is Chockful of information, education and innovation. Can you guess who our guests are this week?

29/05/2023

Today we remember and honor the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great country.

17/05/2023

May is mental health awareness month and we are here to help fight the stigma and encourage others to navigate with patience, self love and courage. Be kind to your mind 🧠💓