Project FOCUS 2016

Project FOCUS needs your support for our Peer Mentors        

Project FOCUS (Focusing Opportunities with Community and University Supports) strives to support transition aged students, 18-22, who have intellectual disabilities in accessing the academic and social opportunities available at the University of Arizona resulting in the acquisition of academic knowledge, increases in self-determination, and successful, gainful employment.

Peer Mentors form the foundation structure for student success in Project FOCUS. Primary responsibilities include attending courses with students, assisting with homework, engaging and encouraging social opportunities, and participating in campus activities, clubs and events.

This crowdfunding will support Project FOCUS Peer Mentor student wages and paid internships at The University of Arizona.

The impact that Project FOCUS has had on our Peer Mentors has, in many ways, been as dramatic as it has been for our students and upholds campus wide 100% Student Engagement initiative of The University of Arizona . As a result of their experiences with our students, some mentors have changed career paths or strengthened their ability to compete for graduate programs or jobs. We believe all of our mentors have been changed and inspired and we are confident that they will be change agents for a more compassionate and inclusive society in the future.

What impact does going to college and being with their same age peers have on a student with intellectual disabilities?

 The same as any other student! 

 New friends. New interests. New learning.

 A sense of accomplishment. A sense of freedom.

 And a sense of one’s self in the world.

For anyone who attends college, the potential for employment and meaningful community engagement increases. For a student with intellectual disabilities who attends Project FOCUS at the University of Arizona, the potential to be connected to their community and engaged in meaningful activities significantly improves from 35% to 90%.  Their employment outlook also noticeably improves from 21% to 52%.  Beyond engagement and employment, Project FOCUS is dedicated to closing the gap between individuals with and without intellectual disabilities by graduating students who are self-determined and better prepared to live their own lives.