336,901
Meals served to Children Annually
120
Special Olympics Medals
1,033
Early Head Start and Head Start Parent Volunteers
2,000
Hours of In-House Behavioral Health Services
Program Highlights
Early Childhood Education
El Valor’s Early Childhood Education program continues to impact the lives of young children through dual-language learning, with a focus on academic and emotional development. Over 3,000 children and families benefited from this program in 2024.
Adult Programming: Developmental Training and Community Engagement
El Valor’s adult programs prioritize developmental training, empowerment, and community engagement, offering individuals with disabilities the opportunity to build confidence and take part in enriching, purposeful activities. Notable highlights include hosting a Science Fair, launching a nutritional education initiative, and celebrating with a Mardi Gras Masquerade-themed prom.
STEAM Learning Initiatives
El Valor fosters a love for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) across both children’s and adult programs through hands-on, engaging activities. Children explore STEAM through science experiments, building challenges, and creative art projects. Adults participate in accessible science lessons, collaborative art classes, and technology-based learning that promote curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking. These experiences empower individuals of all ages and abilities to explore and discover the world around them.
Community Champions
We believe in the power of community and the impact of service. Our volunteers play a crucial role in supporting our mission of empowering our community. Whether assisting in the classroom, helping to beautify our green spaces, or serve up a meal at our holiday party, they help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. A special shout out to our dedicated volunteers at PNC and Burns & McDonnell who volunteered with us all throughout the year.
Stories of Impact
Promoting Digital Literacy
In partnership with Comcast, El Valor launched a digital learning library designed specifically for adults with disabilities. This initiative expands access to technology and includes tools such as iPads, digital cameras, and a MotionMagix interactive wall projector. The library supports skill-building, creative expression, and digital engagement, empowering participants to engage more fully in their communities and daily lives.
Spring Games and Team Victory
El Valor’s Special Olympics team, the El Valor Eagles, proudly competed in their first team sport at the Spring Games, taking home the bronze medal in volleyball. This exciting milestone marked a new chapter for the team, showcasing their hard work, determination, and athletic growth. The achievement highlights El Valor’s continued dedication to fostering belonging, empowerment, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive both on and off the court.
Monarch Butterfly Conservation Program
El Valor’s Monarch Butterfly Program empowers children and adult participants to engage in environmental sustainability through hands on activities such as planting and caring for milkweed and observing monarch butterfly migrations, all culminating in our Annual Butterfly Release. This vibrant, intergenerational program fosters a deeper connection to nature and promotes ecological awareness within the community. It has also inspired grassroots efforts like Mujeres por Espacios Verdes (Women for Green Spaces), a local initiative dedicated to expanding and preserving green spaces throughout urban neighborhoods.