Today we’d like to introduce you to Lileana de Moya.
Lileana, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my career as a registered nurse, graduated from Florida International University with B.S.N and obtained my Masters of Science in Special Education (M.S.Ed.) from the University of Miami. I was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to The Children’s Trust Board in 2011 served as the Chair of the Program Services/Childhood Health Committee and the Vice-Chair of The Board of Directors.
I served on FIU’s College of Education Dean’s Advisory Council, the State Advisory Committee for the Education of Exceptional Students, the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development Advisory Committee, the Florida International University Special Education Advisory Board and the State Secondary Transition Interagency Council. I was awarded the “Henry Bandier C.A.M.P for Justice Fellowship” by the University of Miami Children’s Youth and Law Clinic for her work with children and young adults in foster care with disabilities.
I have two sons and three grandchildren. My youngest son has a developmental disability and has been the drive and motivation that has driven both my professional career and personal life. It became apparent about the age of two that he was experiencing challenges with his communication skills, and as time went by and more challenges were apparent I engulfed myself into the world of disabilities. I knew that I had to become his advocate and voice.
I joined Parent to Parent of Miami in 2001 and held the position of Training Director until 2006. In 2008 I served on the Board of Trustees and as President until 2013. I formed JAG Education Consultants, Inc. and held consultant positions with Florida International University, University of Miami School of Law and other community agencies. Parent to Parent stole my heart and I became a fierce advocate of children with disabilities all the while ensuring that whatever I could do for my son I would do for others.
In his senior year of high school, he informed me that he wanted to go to college. There was only one program at the UNF in the state of Florida. It took over two years but FIU opened the doors and I founded Project Panther LIFE: Learning is for Everyone, a college transition program for students with Intellectual Disabilities at Florida International University in Miami. My son was the first graduate.
The de Moya Foundation was started in 2015 as a labor of love and a need to give back to the community. We as a family felt blessed that our son with very unique abilities had accomplished so much more than we were told to expect at the age of three.
Today my son is 29 years old, works full-time, is independent, highly social, and resourceful. He has an exceptional work ethic and the motivation and drives to do everything and anything he puts his mind to accomplish. He is the engine that keeps the train moving. Our house has no ceiling! This attitude is why we are here today. The Foundation launched the Employment Initiative Project in 2016.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Throughout all of our years dealing with the challenges of raising a child with a disability, what would happen after high school seemed very far away until my son walked in one day and asked me if he was registered to go to college. In that moment, I realized we were off on another journey that led to the creation of FIU’s Panther LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) program and two and half years later, my son accomplished his dream of going to college. We did not know then that the journey never ends and that after graduation we would encounter the challenges of employment.
Owning a family business gave us the blessed opportunity to offer Alex a job, but there were challenges and we quickly found out that the support needed for anyone with special needs was much more than what was being offered through government programs. The challenges were apparent from the beginning–there was a lack of support for the employees, but more importantly, there was a lack of support for the employer.
Has it been a smooth road? No, it’s been an uphill struggle all the way, from having to go up against the school system to keep your child included in mainstream education to helping his accomplish his dreams, ambitions and preparing him to become as independent as possible while reaching his maximum potential. All young adults with developmental disabilities deserve to reach their potential and dreams.
Please tell us about The de Moya Foundation.
When my son graduated from FIU’s program and went to work for the family business I quickly realized that the support offered by government agencies was not enough to help him succeed. I had to implement and provide individualized support for him which led to the creation of The de Moya Foundation to address the over 80% unemployment rate of individuals with developmental disabilities.
I realized that if we came up with a model that focused on the employer as the client to eliminate the hesitation, obstacles and trepidation of hiring individuals with developmental disabilities, we could make a difference. The de Moya Foundation grew from awarding scholarships for students with disabilities and community grants, to the creation of the Employment Initiative Project. We developed a customized employment model that provides job-coaching, staff training, builds awareness and sensitivity, and fosters communication by building long-term partnerships that will ensure success for both the employee and the employer.
Our very unique approach provides expanded services well beyond the traditional 90-day employment support services and 150-day supported employment services provided by government agencies. We develop partnerships we do not do placements. We stay on the case throughout the length of the partnership and the employees’ position. We create relationships, communication and support with and for the staff that leads to long-term employment outcomes.
In just over three years, the Employment Initiative Project has 50 Employer Partners, 45 young adults with unique abilities such as; Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other related disabilities employed in integrated inclusive work settings, an additional 40 young adults waiting for employment, 5 Employment Specialists, an Employment Initiative Director, a Vocational Services Coordinator/Behavioral Practitioner, a 20 member advisory board, a clerical assistant supported by the Foundation, and an Operations Manager. We have proven that Doing Good is Good for Business and our journey continues.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are just getting started building paths to brighter futures for young adults with unique abilities. We would like to increase our Employer Partner base, employ 20 more employees in 2020 which would require hiring two more job coaches. With the help of our amazing community, we need to increase our funding through grants and hopefully state funding for our expanded and unique services. We hope to hire an Executive Director and to continue employing young adults with unique abilities in the workforce. Together we will continue Bridging Dreams to Reality!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.demoyafoundation.com
- Phone: 305-667-9112
- Email: info@demoyafoundation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedemoyafoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedemoyafoundation/
Image Credit:
Jennifer Sanchez – Infinite Creations
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