Meet Korryn

The Taghons connection to Hand in Hand happened organically. Korryn was part of the Pleasant Valley Sparkle Cheerleaders, an inclusive cheer team at the local high school, and other parents continually talked about Hand in Hand’s respite services. At the time, the family lived in Illinois and were looking for more social and recreational opportunities for Korryn. They took a tour and were immediately drawn in.

Korryn began attending our evening and weekend recreation programs like Food, Friends, and Fun and Saturday Night Social as well as our after-school program. After graduating from high school, she transitioned to our adult dayhab program, People with Purpose, where she enjoys socializing with peers, volunteering at many local nonprofits, and hanging out at the clubhouse.

Her mom, Dawn, said that Hand in Hand gave Korryn a space to grow, learn, and discover herself.

“She met so many peers from other schools and successfully built a new community for herself. Korryn enthusiastically immersed herself in the after-school hours and social events.”

“What we also discovered was the essential and much-needed gift of date nights we had been missing. We could drop her off—happy and engaged—with the absolute certainty that she was in a safe, welcoming, and trustworthy environment. This peace of mind allowed us to truly relax and reclaim those vital hours to ourselves.”

“Hand in Hand masterfully evolved alongside Korryn's needs. It began as a respite provider during our working hours. Post-high school, the People with Purpose program seamlessly filled her days with meaningful activities and volunteering (which she still enjoys a few days a week!),” Dawn explained.

Korryn’s most recent chapter with Hand in Hand involves her working part-time as part of our kitchen staff.

Her roommate, Maddie, told her about our part-time opening and now Korryn works in our kitchen helping prepare snacks and lunch for the kids as well as keep the kitchen clean and organized.

Her mom, Dawn, said, “I didn't realize how much it meant to her to become a staff member until she was offered the job in 2024. She started crying tears of joy! Korryn has always wanted to get a job and be as independent as possible.”

“We are sincerely humbled by the "Village” that continues to surround her—a beautiful culture of positivity and encouragement for her to be the best she can be. Korryn is incredibly proud that she was a client and is now an employee and an active part of the Hand in Hand team,” Dawn expressed.

“When I ask her about her workday, her answer is always delivered with the brightest smile: ‘It was a great day, Mom!’”

“When Korryn was born, the focus was all on the things she wouldn't be able to do—a list of limitations that dominated the conversation. We looked at our baby girl and made a solemn promise: she would live the most independent life possible. Hand in Hand became our partner in fulfilling that promise. They saw her ABILITY; they looked beyond a diagnosis and believed she would rise to the level of expectation. We cannot thank them enough for assisting Korryn in living her most independent, happy life!"

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