Not all heroes wear a cape and have superpowers; some everyday heroes are those who simply go above and beyond to help others in need. At EmployAbility, we are privileged to have a community of friends who volunteer to help us give the adults with developmental disabilities that we serve the most meaningful experiences possible, each and every day. Cesar is one of those remarkable volunteers and his way of bonding with our individuals is unique.
Every month, Cesar visits EmployAbility dressed as Marvel’s Captain America. Although he isn’t fighting crime, his visits make a positive impact in the lives of our Day Habilitation participants. Cesar founded Heroes Overcome, an organization of men who dress up as superheroes and visit local schools, hospitals, and youth groups in our local community to delight and inspire and began volunteering in Day Habilitation a year and a half ago.
Adrian, who takes on the role of Black Panther, says “Volunteering with EmployAbility gives me an opportunity to add value to my community by giving back.” Together, he and Cesar reiterate their ultimate goal is to spread the grace of God, positivity, inclusiveness, and love. They spend time with each person, giving them focused attention, posing for photos, and shaking hands.
Cesar and his Heroes Overcome teammates see firsthand the impact that volunteers have on non-profit organizations like EmployAbility. They know that volunteers often fill critical roles and that most non-profits would have a difficult time functioning efficiently without the help of volunteers. A wonderful way to get out and meet people, discover new talents, and impact your community in a meaningful way, volunteering doesn’t need to be intimidating. Cesar offers advice to those who want to volunteer, but don’t quite know where to begin. When looking back on his volunteer journey, he says, “Start anywhere. At the end of the day, I am just a guy behind a mask. My friends in Day Habilitation impact me more than they know.”
Discover your superpower by becoming an EmployAbility volunteer! For more information about how you can donate your time or talents, visit www.employabilityga.org/volunteer or contact Laura Lane McKinnon at llmckinnon@employabilityga.org.
