PLATINUM2023

Lone Star Abilities Network

Empower * Include * Advocate * Educate * Connect

FRISCO, TX   |  www.LSAbilitiesNet.org

Mission

Lone Star Abilities Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the unique needs of the special needs community by providing resources, focused programming, and connection with our local community.  We act as an empowering partner and resource from diagnosis to education to employment and beyond.

Notes from the nonprofit

We are a small, but very much needed, nonprofit serving the greater Frisco, Texas area and beyond. Unlike many other nonprofits in the area, we are completely volunteer led and are not attached to or affiliated with any for-profit business. Our programs are driven by the needs of our disability community regardless of age, race, income, ability or disability. We work closely with the school district and the city to ensure that those with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else. Our nonprofit recently rebranded and expanded to offer a larger number of programs to adults, who we learned are the most underserved of our disability community. At the age of 22, the school bus stops coming, leaving families feeling alone and disconnected. Our goal is to provide better housing opportunities, transportation and social/recreational opportunities to this population and make Frisco, Texas and the surrounding suburbs sensory friendly and disability welcoming.

Ruling year info

2018

President

Cindy Badon

Co Principal Officer

Melanie Neystel

Main address

2346 Aspermount Drive

FRISCO, TX 75033 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Frisco SAGE

EIN

82-5441720

NTEE code info

Parent Teacher Group (B94)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

We hope to make this area more accessible for those with disabilities to engage, work, and give back to the community. We need to increase access to transportation, job skills training and placement, housing options and recreational and social opportunities. Those with disabilities want the same thing everyone else does, but they have fewer opportunities to access those goals. Our hope is that through education, advocacy and collaboration, we can provide an avenue for those with live with disabilities to thrive and not only engage with, but also give back to their community.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Resource Fairs

Resource fairs that provide resources for families and educators, including therapy models, summer camps, occupational and speech tools, as well as academies for gifted learners.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

We support our honored guests and their peer partners in our community who require adjustments to the typical community social environments. This program is open to all area high school students and young adults with disabilities and their invited typical peers.

Population(s) Served
Families
Caregivers
Children and youth
People with disabilities

We have partnered with a local high school football team, a church, a food bank, another non-profit and the community to expand and revamp a community garden to be accessible by all ages and abilities.

Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Economically disadvantaged people

We hold several monthly events that engage the community and focus on support, advocacy and inclusion of those who have diverse needs and learning styles. These events are tailored to the needs of the community based on requests and feedback.

Population(s) Served

This program educates students on disabilities, diverse abilities, inclusion and not only accepting the differences in all of us, but accepting and appreciating each of our unique abilities. The program is available year-round to local schools and groups in the community at no cost.

Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Caregivers
People with disabilities
Caregivers
Families
Children and youth

This program was developed with Aerotech Corporation to educate those in the workforce about disability, accommodations, and inclusion. We address small adaptations in the workplace that can make it more accessible to all. We also address how to provide accommodations for clients and customers in ways that allow better access to goods and services the business provides to the public. The program has received very positive reviews as it is presented in a growth-mindset light and with proactive changes that are simple but effective.

Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Families
People with disabilities
Families
Caregivers
People with diseases and illnesses

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

Frisco Chamber of Commerce 2022

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of meetings held with decision makers

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with disabilities

Related Program

Community Outreach and Programs

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

2020 and 2021 were exceptional years where we had less engagement overall due to the pandemic.

Number of connections with other nonprofits and providers.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with disabilities

Related Program

Community Outreach and Programs

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of new programs/program sites

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with disabilities

Related Program

Community Outreach and Programs

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of participants engaged in programs

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with disabilities

Related Program

Sensory-Friendly Social Events

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with disabilities

Related Program

Community Outreach and Programs

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

1. Increase disability engagement by providing access to a wide variety of programming
2. Increase disability voice & awareness by establishing educational programs for clients & community
3. Create a marketing strategy to connect clients with community & resources
4. Promote best practices through awareness programs & recognition

1. Increase programming options and formats: reinstate coffee talk, roundtables, themed family nights, game nights, safety / self defense programs, volunteering options, social skills groups, etc.
2. Provide a job and life skills training and job placement program; engage in self-advocacy and civic engagement opportunities with clientele; launch our business / corporate certification program with local tourism group; expand board including opportunities to serve on committees.
3. Set measurable quarterly goals for each pillar; host an inclusion gala fundraiser; create an advisory committee and internship program;
4. Increase marketing and communication using a team that utilizes technology as well as grass roots efforts.

We are capable of reaching these goals but will need to engage the community in the planning and implementation. We will segment the goals and set deadlines for accomplishing steps, but also ensure that we have the manpower in place to make goals successful. We will seek community feedback on priorities as well as success of each program.

We are accomplishing successful rebranding and strategic outlines and prioritizing our expansion. We are accomplishing better engagement, though that will always be something that can be improved. We are accomplishing taking a look back at our progress and survival of a rough couple of years during the covid epidemic.

What's next? Increasing our scope of programs and reach in our community. We will address ways to grow with our community and overcome the obstacles our area has due to its size and rapid growth.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

Lone Star Abilities Network
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Lone Star Abilities Network

Board of directors
as of 02/12/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Cindy Badon

Lone Star Abilities Network


Board co-chair

Melanie Neystel

Lone Star Abilities Network

Term: 2018 -

Shonna Cole

Lone Star Abilities Network

Kristy Hutchins

Lone Star Abilities Network

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/22/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person with a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 01/23/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.