It’s easy to see why the Kaleidoscope Community Adult Program is so meaningful to participants and their families. Behind every activity and outing are dedicated staff members like Tatiana Chun, who help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) build confidence, strengthen their independence and stay connected to their communities.
“It’s hard not to fall in love with the Kaleidoscope Program,” Tatiana said. “The participants are amazing and so are the staff.”
Building a Career Around Helping Others
Tatiana’s journey with Easterseals Northern California began while she was studying psychology in college. Today, she serves as a Kaleidoscope Program Coordinator, overseeing activities for dozens of participants and partnering closely with their families.
Each month, Tatiana and her coworker develop activity calendars based on the participants’ interests. Popular activities include bowling, going to the movies and trying new restaurants in the community.
“We really try to incorporate what the participants want to do,” Tatiana said. “At the same time, we make sure to cover areas like health and fitness, life skills and preparing for a job.”
Throughout the month, Tatiana also helps coordinate volunteer opportunities. Whether participants are caring for animals at the East Bay SPCA, sharing their time and talents with the American Cancer Society or helping clean up local neighborhoods, they gain valuable experiences while giving back to their communities.
Celebrating Self-Advocacy and Independence
For Tatiana, one of the most rewarding parts of her role is hearing from families about the positive changes and growth they’ve seen in their loved ones. Recently, a parent shared that his daughter talks about Kaleidoscope constantly at home and looks forward to attending the program every day.
“It’s so special knowing that we’ve created an environment where people feel safe, comfortable and happy,” Tatiana said.
Over the years, she’s noticed a significant increase in participants’ independence and self-advocacy. One participant who struggled with anxiety and social communication now confidently approaches staff, builds relationships with peers and sets healthy friendship boundaries.
“Seeing the changes in our participants is pretty incredible — especially when it comes to self-advocacy,” Tatiana said. “It’s one of the pillars of our organization because we believe adults should be able to advocate for themselves.”
Making a Difference Together
The collaborative culture at Kaleidoscope is another reason why Tatiana enjoys coming to work each day. She credits her coworkers and Program Manager with creating an environment where everyone works together to help participants achieve their goals.
“I enjoy spending time with my team,” said Tatiana. “They’re very supportive and flexible, and I know I can always depend on them. Every day, I see the positive impact they make on our participants’ lives.”
Finding the Right Support for Your Loved One
For families looking for services and support for an adult child with I/DD, Tatiana recommends starting with their Regional Center to learn about available resources.
She also encourages them to check out Kaleidoscope. Through the program, participants build friendships and gain practical life skills.
Outside of Kaleidoscope, some individuals may benefit from working with an independent living skills worker. These professionals provide one-on-one coaching in areas like cooking, cleaning and other tasks to help individuals learn to live on their own.
“Another option to consider is a group home,” Tatiana said. “There are good communities out there. Some of our participants are living in group homes and apartments — and they really like it. Plus, they can still see their families and participate in Kaleidoscope.”
To learn more, visit our Kaleidoscope page today.
Want to join our Easterseals Northern California team? See the open positions on our Careers page.
