Check Out Liz Curtis’ Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Curtis.

Hi Liz, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
For more than 40 years, The Enola Group non-profit organization has served to educate children and their families, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and communities through creativity and opportunities. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities attend the Enola Group’s Signature Day Program, where they are provided with habilitative goal training based on individual needs, explore their creative potential, and develop their unique artistic abilities. The program focuses on supporting participants to engage in meaningful activities including painting, pottery, music, volunteer opportunities, social interactions, leisure, and employment activities. We provide skill-building programs such as budgeting, health and safety, math, reading, and communication for the individual to utilize in the real world. The arts became part of our program through seeing the interests of the people we serve as well as the importance of supporting them to become productive members of their community. Several of the program’s participants are well-known artists who have had their work shown in art galleries in New York, North Carolina, and even Amsterdam. Currently, the artists are selling their work at a local art studio and getting ready to sell online. Creativity, opportunities, education, and creating a sense of belonging form the foundations of our program services. Currently, Signature Day Program serves 29 participants. 

Another service provided by the Enola Group is Alternative Family Living (AFL), residential service for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide a residential setting for adults who need a home who otherwise would be in an institution or group home setting. An AFL provider is a dedicated staff wanting to take someone into their home to provide a therapeutic service to meet the needs of the individual. The AFL’s responsibilities include goal training, medical needs, transportation, cooking, cleaning, etc. Currently, the Enola Group has 13 participants residing in AFL homes. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to success has been made easier by the people who work for our program and by the people we serve. The day program is fortunate to have staff who are dedicated and committed to the success of everyone’s meaningful day. Participants and staff enjoy their time at the day program; it is a fun and happy place to be. Some of the challenges have been enough space to serve people who want to be part of our program and lack of funding for some services. As a nonprofit, we are always conscious of the need to balance our budget with set operational funds, competitive wages for employees, and funds to support activities beyond what is funded through Medicaid or the State. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Signature Services serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential and day settings 

Liz Curtis is the Director of Adult Services 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.enolagroup.org/
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Signature Day Program
• Other: Linda Wilson: Executive Director of The Enola Group [email protected]