Hobbyists with Developmental Disabilities Debut Potential Entrepreneur Opportunities at Annual Harvest Festival

Each year, Inland Regional Center of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties (IRC), throws a party to “celebrate the season” for its more than 29,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities such as intellectual developmental disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, and autism. This year, the festival had an added feature. On Oct. 25, twelve consumer hobbyists debuted their vendor booths and offered the opportunity to participate in a future “microenterprise” program through the regional center. From photography, website design, art, custom jewelry, and more, IRC encouraged these potential entrepreneurs to show their wares and services and perhaps seek a mentorship opportunity. Following the Harvest Festival, those entrepreneurs serious about starting a business may be selected to participate in a microenterprise training program that will teach consumers valuable business-savvy skills including marketing, community networking, financial education and more. While the program has not officially launched, the Annual Harvest Festival marks a milestone in its development. Regional centers across the state are working on efforts such as this to provide viable work options for consumers. “The Harvest Festival is an event that is aligned with our core values of independence, inclusion and empowerment in mind. We want our families and friends to have fun, and walk away with the resources they need to help them in their everyday lives,” said Community Engagement Unit Program Manager CJ Cook. Also, more than 1,000 people attended the event. The Annual Harvest Festival was an exclusive opportunity for IRC’s consumers, families, vendors and staff to celebrate the autumn season in a carnival setting complete with a costume contest, festival games, face painting, sweet treats, and much more. The goal of the festival was to provide families with important information about services and resources available in the developmental disabilities community while providing a fun afternoon of family-friendly activities. More than seventy IRC vendors and community booths provided information and answered questions about the programs and resources available. This year’s festival was made possible through the support of volunteers from Future Social Workers in Action, Girl Scout Troop #714, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), as well as family and staff members. The event is sponsored by Pathways Inc., Supportive Living Services and Mobility Works of Riverside. The event is presented by Molina Healthcare, IEHP and Southern California Edison. Many thanks from IRC are in order for the collaborative coordination and help provided by the City of San Bernardino, the City of San Bernardino Fire Department and IRC’s property management group, Tiarna Real Estate Services.