Hello and welcome to the City of Atlantic Beach’s new website section – Learning and Living with Disabilities. This section and associated blog aim to share local information and resources available at the Beaches and Greater Jacksonville. Although we will be including and linking you to events throughout Jax, this section will focus on activities and not-for-profits at the Duval Beaches.
For those families living in Atlantic Beach or hoping to move here, we want you to know that there is a vibrant, supportive community that can provide information and share the available resources.
There are inherent difficulties in navigating the world of disability, and there is also so much inspiration and joy that we will share.
The goals of this website/blog are to:
Inform – We will share links to resources found throughout the City of Jacksonville and the beaches, conferences, and not-for-profits that can support you and your family, as well as ways that you can make a difference.
Inspire – We will share heartwarming stories and “happenings” in our community, which (we hope) will warm your heart.
Involve – We would appreciate your feedback about information you would like to see included in this website section and become involved in this communication.
The initial team who will be writing this blog and creating content are:
- Susan Peters is the CEO and founder of PossAbilities Plus, a teen and adult vocational training site for individuals with special needs. Includes a tearoom “Cup of Dreams”, thrift shop, and garden 1079 Atlantic Beach Blvd, Atlantic Beach – possabilitiesplus@gmail.com 904-472-8371 (please text)
- Karen Demuth is the director of the Music Therapy Expansion, Cathedral Arts Project. Karen@CAPkids.org – 305-299-9247 (please text)
- Kara Tucker, Chief ADA Coordinator, Disabled Services Division, City of Jacksonville 904-626-5442 (cell) 904-255-5472 (office) – karat@coj.net
- Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager, City of Atlantic Beach – (904) 362-0043(cell), (904)247-5804, khogencamp@coab.us,
Please remember we are volunteers in this endeavor -wanting to Inform, Inspire, and Involve (Please share information that you would like included in this section)
Please send all inquiries, comments, and suggestions to Karen Demuth, Karen@CAPkids.org, who will share them with the team and respond. We welcome your ideas and collaboration
* Due to the nature of this blog, we will only be able to feature not-for-profits, not private businesses. However, we value our local business owners and appreciate your ideas, feedback, and support!!!
Important contact information
- City of Jacksonville Kara Tucker, Chief ADA Coordinator, Disabled Services Division, City of Jacksonville 904-626-5442 (cell) 904-255-5472 (office) – karat@coj.net
- COJ Mayor Disability Council = First Tuesday of the Month
- Comments and ideas regarding this section of the website- Karen Demuth, Director of Music Therapy Expansion, Cathedral Arts Project. Karen@CAPkids.org – 305-299-9247 (please text)
- Atlantic Beach- Beach wheelchair program – https://www.coab.us/2079/Accessibility-for-People-with-Disabiliti
Inform
Did you know that there are many not-for-profits at the Beaches and in Greater Jacksonville? These organizations work collaboratively to provide services for children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities. Please share related Beaches not-for-profits with us!!
Each month, we will feature a local not-for-profit that impacts those navigating the world with a disability.
Atlantic Beach is proud to be home to an inspired not-for-profit. PossAbilities Plus is a local nonprofit at 1079 Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach where teens and adults with special needs and unique abilities can receive job training, employment, and social opportunities to enhance their lives and opportunities. The program operates an upscale thrift store, tearoom, and garden that provides job training opportunities. PossAbilities Plus provides music therapy, art therapy, drama, social programs, and a family support group so that participants can build self-confidence, skills, and healthy relationships. In addition, we can provide on-the-job training and placement through Vocational Rehabilitation.
- For more information, contact Susan Peters– CEO and Founder, PossAbilities Plus – possabilitiesplus@gmail.com 904-472-8371 (please text)
Inspire
This month, we are featuring:
Neptune Beach Elementary School – Music Therapy Holiday Performance – 2023- Atlantic Beach Not-For-Profit, Connecting Thru Music- is now a part of The Cathedral Arts Project- 501-C3 (CAP). CAP was the sponsor of this event and provides music therapy throughout our region.
It was a packed house of parents, grandparents, and other family members who don’t often get to experience their children having the opportunity to perform. The pride and joy in their eyes were palpable.
In addition, Mayor Deegan, Mayor Brown, Mayor Ford, and Mayor Hoffman were in attendance, along with the board chair of The Kids Hope Alliance, representatives from the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS, and DCPS. There were also quite a number of CAP board members, donors, and other guests.
But most of all, we had 80+ amazing children, many navigating life with the aid of wheelchairs, who lit up the stage in vibrant attire. Under the guidance of UpBeat Music Therapy’s music therapist, Hembree Poindexter, MT-BC, their rendition of holiday songs was a moving showcase of resilience and joy. Hembree’s dedication deserves our deepest appreciation.
It was inspiring to watch what these children have managed to accomplish in just a few months and one could only imagine how much they have gone through to be able to get to this point.
Principal Kavanagh was overcome with emotion when she thanked our community for their support, mentioning that the program had touched and changed lives. The music therapy program at Neptune Beach Elementary School (NBE) (which has ten classrooms for children with special needs ) was started in 2016 by Connecting Thru Music, an Atlantic Beach not-for-profit which is now a part of The Cathedral Arts Project, https://capkids.org.
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Music Therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare & educational goals:
First Coast News covered the performance and provided this inspiring message!!
Click here to watch this short video
First Coast News Covers Music Therapy Holiday Performance at Neptune Beach Elementary.mov
The success of the music therapy program at NBE inspired grants, donors, and funding. There are now over 400 students at 15 sites receiving music therapy at public and private schools through The Cathedral Arts Project in Duval County. However, with over 19,000 students living with disabilities, there is much work to be done. Because music is the only modality that impacts the entire brain, music therapy is especially beneficial in the learning and development of this population!!
Together, we are making such a difference.
Involve – What would you like to see featured, included, and more?
Comments, and ideas regarding this section of the website- Karen Demuth, Director Music Therapy Expansion, Cathedral Arts Project. Karen@CAPkids.org – 305-299-9247 (please text)
Thank you for taking the time to read our first blog. Have a wonderful January! Below are a few local opportunities:
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Glenn is the founder and publisher of First Coast Life. He is also a wonderful storyteller. Born on the 4th of July, he spends his spare time taking his camera and exploring everything beautiful this region offers with his rescue dog Callie by his side. He loves meeting new people and capturing the many beautiful moments and amazing local stories that showcase the true spirit of the area.
