One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI), a leading provider of innovative education programs for adults who have intellectual disabilities, today announced its 2021 Help Us Grow (HUG) Gala will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m. The virtual event, including an online silent auction and performance by music royalty Camille Sledge, will shine a light on abilities, inclusion and opportunity for individuals who have intellectual disabilities.

“Our annual HUG Gala is going to be an amazing event,” said Jeff Swanson, executive director of Arizona development and communications. “I’m looking forward to celebrating and hope our local community will consider joining us.”

The 2021 Gala will be a mid-point celebration of One Step Beyond’s annual year-end giving campaign scheduled to kick off Oct. 21. Community support and ongoing financial donations are an important part of One Step Beyond’s success.

Added Swanson, “Our annual appeal helps us provide much-needed resources so that we can continue to offer consistent, high-quality programming that our participants and their families expect. With the community’s help, we can meet the demand and ensure every individual we support has the opportunity to live their best life.”

Individuals interested in attending the One Step Beyond 2021 Gala may purchase individual or table admission packages for the virtual event. Tickets are tax deductible and available for $125 per person or at a discounted rate of $100 per person for a table admission package that can include 10, 12, 15 or 20 people. Individual tickets include admission, access to program and musical performance. Table reservations include admission, access to program, musical performance, and a Charcuterie Board and dessert for entire table prepared by One Step Beyond Culinary Program participants. Ticket and table reservations are available at https://osbi.org/2021gala/.

Anyone unable to attend the Gala but who wishes to support One Step Beyond is welcome to join the online silent auction regardless of Gala ticket purchase.

Sponsorship Partners of the One Step Beyond 2021 Gala include: Desert Diamond Casino, CopperPoint Insurance Companies, Westside Speech & Language Services, Selective Insurance, Take It Easley Productions, Dignity Health and Harsch Investment Properties. Individuals or businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can inquire via the One Step Beyond website at https://aesaz.co/ELP/OSBI2021/Sponsors/Become.

Individuals unable to attend the 2021 Gala but who are interested in supporting the One Step Beyond mission can make a monetary donation by visiting the One Step Beyond website at https://osbi.org/hug/. OSBI is also a qualifying agency for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit where a gift of up to $400 (single filers) or up to $800 (filing jointly) can reduce state tax liability by the same amount.

One Step Beyond’s one-of-a-kind educational, recreational, employment, and life skills programming enables participants to achieve independence, self-sufficiency and employment that enables participants to contribute to and achieve greater social participation in their communities.
• Culinary training programs take place in a commercial kitchen with an emphasis on customer service, healthy dietary planning, food preparation, and proper sanitation skills that equip participants with the necessary skills to seek employment in the food industry.
• Life skills programs help members strengthen independent living skills, with an emphasis on money management, functional literacy, social skills, and safe community access.
• Employment programs provide training and volunteer opportunities for self-reliance that lead to competitive or supported employment. OSBI covers the cost of roundtrip transportation for the member and their job coach to ensure success and a positive experience for the individual and the employer.
• Recreation and fine arts programs provide music, art, dance and fitness with an emphasis on personal wellness. OSBI also has a formal partnership with Special Olympics with more than 300 OSBI athletes participating in year-round sports training and tournaments. The organization is the first and only campus-based day training program that has a special needs hockey team, The One Step Coyotes.

About One Step Beyond, Inc.
Phoenix-based One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI) is a private, non-profit organization that provides comprehensive programming and services for adults who have intellectual disabilities. One Step Beyond empowers its members to achieve independence, self-sufficiency and employment through innovative culinary, education, fitness and arts programs as well as strategic partnerships with local businesses that enable participants to contribute to and achieve greater social participation in their communities. One Step Beyond has four locations in the Phoenix Metro area, including Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale and Surprise as well as a location in San Carlos, California. For more information about One Step Beyond programs and services visit https://osbi.org/

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