When Ashley Mabey first came to Goodwill, she was unsure of her place there. Ashley was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome at birth, a rare, neurological disorder that affects cognitive development and increases the risk of seizures. Today, she is flourishing in the S.T.A.R.S. program.
S.T.A.R.S. stands for skills training achieves results and is an individualized skills and socialization program for adults with significant disabilities. The program recreates daily living scenarios to give participants a chance to learn real-life skills to overcome their disadvantages and achieve maximum independence.
Since her enrollment in the S.T.A.R.S. program, Ashley has gained a tremendous amount of confidence. The anxious young woman who would hide behind her mom now has many friends and an increased skill set she can use both inside and outside of the program. In 2022, Ashley was presented with the Shining S.T.A.R. Award in celebration of her growth and accomplishments. This is her story.