LINCS Success Story: VITAS TRACE

Communities can be permanently altered when volunteers with disabilities are regularly included. Partnerships between volunteer programs and disability organizations can create stable recruitment pipelines that form the basis of this transformation. But how do two partners go from meeting to marriage? TRACE is program of the San Diego Unified School District which prepares high school students with disabilities for independence. For more than three years, TRACE students have volunteered weekly at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care. The partnership has been spearheaded by VITAS Volunteer Coordinator Alexander Silva. Read our interview Alex, Kathy Pracanica—TRACE Special Education Technician, and TRACE students—Teresa and Kelly to learn more about developing sustainable partnerships that create impact year after year.