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At the end of winter break, Sonoran Center trainees participated in a volunteer day at a program on the University of Arizona campus called ArtWorks. I left feeling uplifted and full of gratitude.

On October 8, 2025, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs issued a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM. This year is distinguished for being the 80th anniversary of NDEAM. NDEAM is a time to honor the skills, contributions, and value that people with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces.

On October 10, Professional Fellows Mai Nambooze and Kelvin Mkude concluded their visit to Tucson, Arizona. The preceding three weeks were a rich exchange of knowledge, resources, and culture; both for the Fellows and the Sonoran Center. They visited as a part of the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement.

Working as an AdvoCat has helped me see how a more inclusive and open-minded approach benefits our entire community. We all have something to offer.

Since their arrival last month, Professional Fellows Mai Nambooze and Kelvin Mkude have been hard at work, and having some fun along the way!

Imagine this: instead of just putting up a job description and hoping for the right contender to apply, we could create roles around talented individuals in our communities? That's the promise of Customized Employment, a person-centered approach that's gaining momentum across the country.

I had the amazing opportunity to work on the Sonoran Center’s Pregnancy and Parenting Project. This experience reminded me how important it is to remember that people come from so many different backgrounds, and they may face prejudice or injustice based on their identities. For that reason, I’m very grateful that the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities exists and takes the time and effort to educate Hispanics/Latinos with disabilities about their health and the resources that are available to them, especially when it comes to sexual and reproductive healthcare.