Futures Explored

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.

09/10/2025

We would like to introduce to you Futures Explored's Connections Central –Stacie Hall!

Stacie is kind, supportive, and always brings a smile into the room. She takes the time to listen, involve everyone, and offer choices so that each person feels included and empowered. Her patience and understanding allow participants to make good decisions and pursue what truly interests them. She adapts to each person’s unique personality, cheering people up when they feel down and making herself available whenever support is needed. With her positive outlook, she inspires others to live life to the fullest, reach their goals, and “go to infinity and beyond.” Her encouragement, warmth, and even her hugs make a powerful difference in the lives of those around her.

This week we are celebrating amazing Direct Support Professionals all around the country! They are the heart and soul of everything we do to support people with disabilities to access and participate in our communities!

09/09/2025

"Let Us Tell You A Story"

Join us on Friday, September 12 for the first exhibit of Creative Spotlight, a collaboration of like-minded organizations with the sole intention of increasing the current exposure, visibility and raised awareness of the value of neurodiversity in art, promoting accessibility to all.

Some of our folks from CAM Concord are featured in this gallery! Come through and support your friends there! Make some new friends, enjoy some art, help your community.

09/08/2025

We would like to introduce to you Futures Explored's TDS Teammate – Angie Brown!

Angie is a truly supportive and encouraging presence for her participants. She helps people make informed choices by asking what they want and breaking down the steps to get there, always following through with reminders and encouragement along the way. If goals change, she is honest and flexible, checking in to make sure they still reflect what the person really wants. AB consistently shows up prepared, holds her participants accountable, and goes above and beyond—whether that’s finding campus resources, looking up information, or even helping participants outside her caseload. She values open communication and, with permission, works with families, service coordinators, and community supports so everyone is aligned in helping the individual succeed. She adapts to each person’s needs, whether in-person, virtually, or with extra appointments, and takes the time to learn each participant’s style so she can offer study tips and resources that truly help. Most of all, AB shows up every day with compassion, an open heart, and 100% dedication—never settling for the bare minimum, but always going the extra mile.

This week we are celebrating amazing Direct Support Professionals all around the country! They are the heart and soul of everything we do to support people with disabilities to access and participate in our communities!