Futures Explored

12/12/2025

12/12/2025

Futures Explored is proud to lead an inclusive community volunteer initiative focused on keeping Sacramento’s storm drains clean, protecting our local waterways, and creating meaningful opportunities for adults with disabilities to lead community impact projects.

If you like to be part of our goal to clean up our community, we meet every 1st Friday of each month from 9:30am to 1pm, at Futures Explored in Sacramento, 2533 R Street.

We welcome volunteers of all abilities! This event supports leadership opportunities for adults with disabilities, and collaboration with community partners is actively encouraged.

If you like to learn more or would like to sign up to volunteer, contact Laura McCrary:
lauramccrary@futures-explored.org

Image Description 1: Participants from PTI assembling dust pans for the cleaning.

Image Description 2: Both participants and staff out in the neighborhood collecting garbage & leaves.

12/08/2025

EVERYONE has something to give 😍.

Do more good across our community by clicking the link below to read our story of impact, donate directly, or get connected with an executive on our team to see how you can support our work 🥰.

https://www.givinglistbayarea.com/company/futures-explored/

12/08/2025

This fall, AbilityPath, Futures Explored and Helpers Community & Helpers Artisan Boutique launched Creative Spotlight: An Art Collective for Change—a collaboration that brings neurodiverse artists together to share their stories, perspectives, and creative voices. As part of this growing collective, we are proud to shine the spotlight on one of the participating artists: Benji Cheung.

Benji is an emerging artist whose saturated brushstrokes, bold graphic style, and love of depicting animals come together beautifully in his watercolor zodiac series— including his striking piece Aries. He is also expanding into ceramics, where he brings images to life with natural skill and enthusiasm. For Benji, art is a way to express who he is—his personality, his culture, and his passion for giving back. “Art is a way for me to show the creative side of me… and to share my passion with the community,” he says. Creative Spotlight exists to uplift artists like Benji—artists whose work challenges assumptions, sparks conversation, and enriches our community with powerful stories. We look forward to continuing this collaborative effort to ensure neurodiverse art is accessible, celebrated, and seen across the Bay Area.

Learn More at https://bit.ly/4iAVqFi

12/04/2025

We are incredibly proud of our folks here in FMS Stockton! Their first produced comic book page ENTIRELY done by the students. Doug and Mario wrote the script, Doug came up with the layout, Mario with the character designs and the digital sketch/coloring. And of course with the help of the Stockton students with the traditional inking.

And yes! This comic will be available for sale soon!
Stay tuned!

Image 1: A comic book page of a dog, cat and mouse in cowboy costumes. Speech bubbles are purposely blank for spoiler free purposes.

Image 2: Mario and Doug posing in front of the drawing tablet.

10/06/2025

We invite you to an interactive night of art, light, and connection—where every spark ignites creativity, community and change. On October 23rd, BE THE SPARK, is our capital campaign to raise $100,000 towards the buildout of the Creative Arts Center in Concord, CA.

We're celebrating the incredible talents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as they showcase their art. Be the Spark is not just about raising funds; it's about empowering these artists and giving them a platform to express themselves through art. Your participation and support will not only help raise funds but also foster an inclusive environment where everyone’s abilities are celebrated.

You can buy your tickets here: https://shorturl.at/FpotV

We look forward to seeing you there!

Video Description: A montage of various light bulbs lighting up as soon as a person touches it. The final scene is a man in awe of the light above him. "Be the Spark, October 23rd" Displays at the end of the video.

09/25/2025

Today’s the day!
Please consider giving to our community!
Link: https://www.925gives.org/organizations/futures-explored

On September 25th, Be the reason someone gets the support they deserve. Support Futures Explored on 925 Gives Day!

In honor of our campaign, we’re asking for your support to fund critical services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Your donation helps provide critical IDD services—like job coaching, life skills training, and community access.
For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), your donation makes a life-changing impact. Join us in supporting inclusion, empowerment, and independence.

Donate now: https://www.925gives.org/organizations/futures-explored

09/23/2025

On September 25th, Be the reason someone gets the support they deserve. Support Futures Explored on 925 Gives Day!

In honor of our campaign, we’re asking for your support to fund critical services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Your donation helps provide critical IDD services—like job coaching, life skills training, and community access.
For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), your donation makes a life-changing impact. Join us in supporting inclusion, empowerment, and independence.

Donate now: https://www.925gives.org/organizations/futures-explored

09/22/2025

Two weeks ago, California Disability Services Association was celebrating direct support professionals (DSPs) across the state alongside you for DSP Recognition Week.

Last week, shakendra burks was one of the five DSP Empowerment Award winners during CDSA Aligned 2025 in Carlsbad. Congratulations to her! And we thank you for your continuous care for our community.

Image Description: Five awardees, our Shakendra at the far right, raise their awards high in front of the venue.

09/16/2025

Our own, Hester Wagner, represented Futures Explored in this excellent showcase of art from our community.

09/15/2025

Last week, we celebrated DSP Appreciation Week, where we honor the dedicated direct support professionals who provide essential services to people with disabilities! Our team had two separate parties. Our folks who serve in the Sacramento area, had an incredible time at Top Golf! Meanwhile our folks who serves in the Concord area, got to be kids again and played some arcade games at Dave & Busters!

We thank and celebrate all our DSPs at Futures Explored for their work. We see you, we appreciate you!



Image 1: Staff of Go Group racing at Mario Kart!
Image 2: TDS' Kassandra readying to swing at the drive.
Image 3: Shakendra of Connections East accepting an award for her excellence at the Dave & Busters site.
Image 4: Angie & Jenna smiling in front of arcade machines.
Image 5: Michael giving out raffle prizes at the Top Golf site.
Image 6: Elena & Tony showing off their free gifts from management.
Image 7: Brandie swinging at the drive.
Image 8: Trey & Dirk by the drive.
Image 9: Executive Director, Erica, speaking in front of the Concord celebration.
Image 10: Erica, speaking in front of the Sacramento celebration.
Image 11: Go Group enjoying a game of 4-way Pong.
Image 12: A collection of gifts for our DSPs!

09/12/2025

In addition to being nominated for the Futures DSP Empowerment Award, Shakendra's nomination was also submitted to the Statewide DSP Empowerment Awards --and she was selected as a winner! She was honored at the CDSA Conference in front of agencies from across California.

Shakendra is an extraordinary staff member whose dedication, creativity, and person-centered approach make a remarkable difference every single day. She listens deeply to individuals, empowering them to be honest without fear of consequences, and always respecting their choices. She approaches people as equals, offering information instead of instructions, supporting them through mistakes, and helping them reflect and learn. SB builds her daily schedule around what participants want, ensuring that their voices and goals lead the way.

Her creativity shines in the many opportunities she creates for participants beyond the typical day program. SB developed and continues to support a volunteer initiative with the Bay Area All-in-One agency, giving participants the chance to give back to their community. She also designs evening activities that mirror what most adults enjoy—whether that’s social events, outings, or new experiences—broadening the ways participants can connect and grow. She even organizes special celebrations for couples, giving them the chance to dress up, exchange gifts, and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays together. For many, this is the only opportunity to spend time with their partners, and her efforts have strengthened those relationships in truly meaningful ways.

Congratulations to Shakendra! And thank you to all our DSPs at Futures Explored!

Direct Support Professional Empowerment Award winner Shakendra Burks has worked for Futures Explored since 2006, providing excellent person-centered support to Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for 19 years.

Shakendra lives by the principle of “nothing about us without us,” empowering the people she supports to make their own choices and live authentically. She creates a space where individuals feel respected and valued adapting activities to fit their goals and celebrating their strengths.

Beyond her day-to-day support, Shakendra fosters meaningful relationships, organizes community and social events, and mentors her coworkers with creativity and reliability. Shakendra doesn’t just support people—she empowers them.

We are proud to honor her as one of this year’s DSP Empowerment Award winners.