STAR Success Story – Dylan G.

Dylan G. has faced significant challenges throughout his young life. When he first joined STARability at the age of 16, he struggled with limited verbal communication skills, minimal social interaction outside of school, a lack of community safety awareness, and limited independent decision-making and self-advocacy abilities. These barriers often left Dylan feeling isolated and dependent, with few opportunities to explore his potential.

Over the past two years, Dylan’s journey with STARability has been nothing short of transformative.

Through our tailored programs, he has made remarkable strides in developing essential life skills that have empowered him to grow in confidence and independence.

One of the first areas of improvement was Dylan’s community safety awareness. By participating in our community outings, he had the chance to observe and practice safe behaviors in real-world settings. Whether it was learning to cross the street safely, recognizing and responding to social cues, or navigating public spaces with confidence, Dylan has become much more aware of his surroundings. These experiences have been instrumental in helping him feel more secure and capable when out in the community.

Another major milestone in Dylan’s journey has been his progress in communication. Our communication classes provided a supportive environment where Dylan could engage in social opportunities that were previously out of reach. These classes not only helped him improve his expressive communication but also allowed him to connect with peers in meaningful ways.

Today, Dylan is more confident in his interactions, both within and outside of the STARability community.

A particularly significant achievement has been Dylan’s success in our adapted cooking curriculum. Through hands-on learning, Dylan has gained the skills needed to prepare his own meals—a key step toward independence. The pride he feels in packing his own lunch for school each day is just one example of how his self-confidence and daily living skills have flourished. His mom has shared with us that Dylan is now advocating for himself at home, taking on more responsibilities, and showing a newfound independence in daily tasks.

Dylan’s social growth has also been remarkable. He regularly attends our STAR Connections socials and programming, which have expanded his social network and provided his family with a supportive community. This summer, Dylan took another leap forward by joining a camp at River Park Community Center, where he continued to enhance his social interactions and community involvement with the support of STARability staff.

Watching Dylan grow into adulthood has been an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved in his journey. His progress is a testament to his hard work, determination, and the nurturing environment provided by STARability. We are thrilled that Dylan will be re-enrolling in the Jr. Trailblazers program next year, continuing his journey of growth, independence, and self-advocacy.

Dylan’s success story is not just about his achievements—it’s about the impact that STARability has had on his life and the lives of so many others.

It’s stories like Dylan’s that highlight the importance of our work and the vital role that supporters like you play in making these successes possible.

We look forward to continuing this journey with Dylan and many others, with your continued support.