Mission
BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. BENDER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IS FOUNDED ON A COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY, WITH A FOCUS ON THE VALUE AND ABILITIES EACH PERSON CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORKFORCE. WE DO THIS BY EDUCATING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH KEY COMPETENCIES THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR CHANCE FOR SUCCESS IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN ADULTHOOD. THIS EDUCATION IS SUPPLEMENTED WITH MESSAGING FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH TO RAISE THE BAR AND SPEAK UP; TO NOT BE LIMITED OR SILENCED BY THE PERCEPTIONS AND STIGMA THAT ACT AS BARRIERS TO SUCCESS. WE HAVE REALIZED AMAZING IMPACT WITH OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; THESE STUDENTS BECOME BEACONS OF POSITIVITY FOR THEIR PEERS AND HARBINGERS OF A MORE HOPEFUL AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY.