Winter 2020

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it’s my BUSINESS be creative Adults with disabilities have many challenges. At the top of the list, for many of them, is finding or creating meaningful, productive work. For some people, the solution is to create a micro-enterprise based on their interests and skills. Income from this business can supplement government benefits for those individuals with disabilities who qualify and are receiving financial supports such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 15
proposal for aGRANT However, starting any business, including a micro-enterprise, needs a business plan, start-up funds, and other supports to become successful and profitable. That’s illness that meets Social Security’s disability criteria under SSI. The application can come from an individual or a team of up to 4 members. where organizations that can help support and finance micro-enterprises come into play. The next round of grants will not become available until the Fall of 2021 and may be further delayed because One such organization is Life’s Plan, located in the Chicago area. Life’s Plan offers annual micro-grants to of COVID-19 restrictions. Be sure and check our website for updates in the fall of 2021: www.lifesplaninc.org. qualified individuals to help them start a Micro-Enterprise. I am pleased to introduce Consuelo Puente, a Life’s Plan board member and Parent Advocate on the Grants Committee, to tell us more about the micro-grant program. To submit a proposal for a grant to start your own business we have certain simple requirements. First of all, keep your proposal brief, no more than 4 pages. We ask that you tell us a little about yourself and who is going to support you Hi I am Consuelo Puente. in doing the business. We know that individuals with disabilities may need the support from a family member or I want to thank you for this opportunity to spread the word about the micro-grants available from Life’s Plan. paid staff of an agency and we take that into account in your proposal. We ask that you give us an idea of what your business is about and tell us how you ‘As a parent of two adult sons with disabilities I faced the difficult question of what kind of lives will my sons have? What kind of work will be in their lives? The answers do not come easily, I am proud to be part of an organization will use the money. A budget plan and a timeline should be submitted as part of your proposal. More details on the requirements of the proposals will be released next year before the proposals are due. that provides some families with some great options. The micro-grants program provides entrepreneurs with disabilities a launching pad from which to get into the real world of business and work. The grants can be an award of up to $2000, depending on the business plan submitted to Life’s Plan. I find that the biggest problem in submitting a proposal for our micro-grants is coming up with an idea for a business that an individual with a disability can do. Of course, it is easy to say “be creative” or “think outside of the box”. Not so easy to put that advice into action. What Only adult Illinois residents are able to apply and must be considered to have a disability or mental I find more helpful is to think closer to home. My sons and I started a business based on our think outside the box 16
Page 1 and 2: eyond disabilities Winter Issue 202
Page 3 and 4: YOUR LOVE FOR THEM IS ENDLESS. LET
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