When nothing is certain, everything is possible.
By Justin Kohlhagen
The inspiration for my speech at this year’s In My Shoes Luncheon came from a small sign that once hung on the wall of an office at JAFCO’s Children’s Ability Center. It probably measured no more than 12 inches by 5 inches, but its message has had an outsized impact on how I view our work at JAFCO.
“When nothing is certain, everything is possible.”
Over my years at JAFCO, I’ve come to appreciate just how meaningful those words are and how deeply they reflect the philosophy at the heart of the Children’s Ability Center.
Working with children with developmental disabilities, we learn quickly that there aren’t always clear answers or predictable outcomes. But uncertainty doesn’t have to mean limitation. Just because we don’t know what someone might accomplish doesn’t mean we should decide what’s possible for them.
That belief has guided the Children’s Ability Center since its earliest days. Rather than focusing on what a child can’t do, we ask, “What would it take?” What would it take for this child to succeed, for this family to find support, or for this young person to experience greater independence?
As we celebrated 15 years of the In My Shoes Luncheon, I reflected on how much we’ve accomplished by asking those questions and, more importantly, on the extraordinary community that has helped us find the answers
I genuinely believe we have the best community in the world at JAFCO. Our staff show up every day with compassion, creativity, and determination, seeing beyond a diagnosis and celebrating every accomplishment. But that community extends far beyond our staff. Our donors, volunteers, board members, and friends have helped transform the Ability Center into what it is today through their generosity, commitment, and belief in our mission.
And perhaps our greatest teachers have always been the children themselves. They have challenged our assumptions, exceeded expectations, and reminded us time and again of what’s possible.
This year’s luncheon brought that message to life in an unforgettable way.
Our growing Ability@Work program took center stage, with young adults showcasing their businesses and delivering a special performance that brought the entire room together. These are young people developing skills, confidence, friendships, and new opportunities for independence.
We also heard from Gabe and Erin, whose journeys with the Ability Center were featured in our video presentation. When they took the stage, the audience rose in a standing ovation.
Erin shared how her family’s experience with JAFCO inspired her to pursue degrees in social work and ultimately return to the organization, where she now helps create opportunities for others through Ability@Work.
Gabe captured the spirit of the afternoon perfectly: “I could work at JAFCO for 1,000 more years. I really could. You all have given me big hugs, and I am hugging you all back. I love you. Thank you.”
Moments like these remind us that what we’ve built is so much more than programs and services. We’ve created a community where children belong, families find support, and young people have opportunities to discover their potential.
Our job isn’t to decide what someone is capable of. It’s to give them the opportunity to show us.
I am enormously proud of what we’ve built together over the years, and profoundly grateful to the staff, supporters, children, and families who have made it possible.
There was something special about the energy in the room at the luncheon. Staff, families, and supporters, all brought together by a shared belief in the work we do and the people we serve. After 15 years of In My Shoes, I can’t think of a better reminder of why we keep moving forward.
When nothing is certain, everything is possible.