Empowered Services October 2026
October 2026 Newsletter
A season for making room for one another.
Welcome to October. This issue was made for customers, families, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and community partners across Oregon. Inside, we celebrate Kim and Cori, share fall outings and activities, and offer gentle ideas for slowing down and being kind to yourself.
This month’s invitation
Ask someone, “What would you enjoy doing this month?” Take time to hear their answer. Share an idea of your own. Where possible, make a plan together—and leave room to change it.
Inside this issue
A few highlights to get you started. Open the full issue for the stories, recipes, and event details.
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Founder’s welcome
Making room for one another
John Marvin on a community where people feel welcome as they are, and where your choices, routines, and interests stay at the center.
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Community spotlights
Celebrating Kim and Cori
Meet Kim, our Empowered Star, whose advice is simple: advocate for yourself and have fun. And meet Cori, our Pillar of Empowerment, who joined the team in June 2025.
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Awareness & wellbeing
A month of awareness
CEO Dylan Surrett on World Mental Health Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and more, plus kind self-talk and tips for building your own regulation toolkit.
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Fall fun
Get out and get creative
Pumpkin patch meetups, sensory-friendly movie nights, disc golf, and Halloween gatherings around Oregon, plus pumpkin chocolate chip bread and a glittery fall-leaf craft.
Also inside: our September wellness raffle winner and a call for artists to share a comic strip for a future issue.
The full issue
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