Integrate for Good is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization empowering students and adults with disabilities to share their talent through inclusive volunteerism, community leadership and meaningful employment. Dr. Bev Weinberg is an Occupational Therapist with a passion for enhancing community engagement for individuals of all abilities. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Dr. Weinberg returned to Temple and received her Clinical Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in May of 2016, along with a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Temple University Fox School of Business.
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Tommy introduces the show and talks about connecting non-profit organizations, he believes that these organizations are underrepresented, unrecognized, underfunded, and overlooked. Tommy and his special guest today are here to amplify the message and get nonprofits connected. Tommy talks about being open, unattached, and that it's okay to get uncomfortable. Tommy introduces herself to the audience; Dr. Bev is an occupational therapist with a passion for enhancing community engagement for individuals of all abilities. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. She then returned to Temple and received her Clinical Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in May of 2016, along with a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Temple University Fox School of Business. Dr.Bev has over 25 years of experience and is very passionate about helping people who are often in need of assistance - helping them attain and flourish in leadership roles as providers of service to their communities. She has partnered with local and national organizations to help push her progressive agenda and has worked tirelessly to achieve the goals of the nonprofit. After some personal experiences as a child, Dr. Bev decided that she had to be the change she wanted to see in the community and environment she lived in.
After some casual banter, the two get right into it; The mission of Integrate For Good is to create opportunities for people of all abilities to contribute talent through inclusive volunteerism, community leadership, and competitive employment. Dr.Bev starts by talking about how she first started working in the field with new diagnoses and she explains that she saw a disconnect. This disconnect was where the child reached new milestones which were amazing however, the parents had no idea what this progression and growth meant to them. She gives a great example of a boy from Ohio who lives with autism, his parents would contact Dr. Bev talking about how he can do little things - however, he discovered guitar hero and asked his parents for a guitar, and he now plays guitar and now sings better than most musicians. Who cares if someone can't tie their shoes or zip up their bag when they have the potential to do much more, according to Dr. Bev, “why to focus on things you can't do!”
Tommy starts right off by asking about the three pillars of the organization, empowerment, education, and connection - Tommy asks about the background of these three pillars and how they integrate into the organization. Dr. Bev explains that it’s not only about the money for Integrate for Good, they hold trying to make personal connections and partners at a much higher pedestal. She goes on to talk about how getting people to come onboard, volunteer and partner were across the board from events at zoos and schools to now fully virtual events - as the country slowly gets back to normal, they hope for a summer in-person or hybrid model programs. She talks about really looking around your community, and if there are people who have not even been given a chance it is integral to find a way to bring them into the process as with them on the sidelines we cannot progress.
Tommy asks who does Integrate for Good need to get connected and grow, Dr. Bev starts by saying that Integrate for Good is always looking for new opportunities, volunteers, and partners. According to Dr. Bev as a start-up non-profit organization it is almost impossible to get funding, it is important to understand that if you do have time, money, or experience to share you should push yourself to do something bigger than yourself. Dr. Bev presses that Non Profits may be doing good work, but this work is limited as there isn't enough funding. Tommy closes out the show and tells the audience how to get connected to Girls Inc, and queues Always Freyday.
