Ashby Family LEAD & Engagement Services

Ashby Family LEAD & Engagement Services 

Building stronger futures through inclusion and connection

At Ashby Family LEAD & Engagement Services (AFLES), we believe everyone deserves the chance to live with dignity, connection, and opportunity. As a disability-led nonprofit serving Clark and Cowlitz counties, we empower individuals with visible and invisible disabilities to take charge of their lives, build confidence, and access the resources they need to thrive. Through culturally responsive programs, wraparound resources, and authentic human connection, AFLES helps people not only meet immediate needs but also discover their own strengths and pathways to independence. From peer mentoring and respite care to food access and coalition-building, our work is rooted in equity and belonging—ensuring those historically furthest from opportunity are supported and uplifted.

Today, you can double your impact. Thanks to a $2,500 matching grant from the Firstenburg Foundation, every dollar you give will be matched—up to $2,500—helping us reach even more individuals and families who rely on AFLES for support. Our ability to continue and grow these services depends on community generosity, and we invite you to stand with us by making a gift today. Together, we can build a future where equity, belonging, and opportunity are a lived reality for every ability.

We offer programs to engage and empower our community: 

LEAD & Mentorship Program

The LEAD & Mentorship Program (Learn, Explore, Access, Demonstrate) helps participants develop skills for independent living and long-term self-sufficiency. Through educational workshops focused on Academic Success, Personal Enrichment, and Life Skills, participants learn in culturally responsive, inclusive settings. A unique feature of this program is paid Peer Mentorship, where mentors with disabilities support and reinforce learning while modeling independence and resource navigation. Both mentors and mentees grow in confidence, competence, and connection, building pathways to stronger community integration and resilience.

Benefit Resource & Connection Hub (BRCHub)

The BRCHub provides direct support and resource navigation to individuals and families facing barriers. Services include emergency grants, community engagement scholarships, access to basic needs, and adaptive technology. At the center of the hub is the Basic Needs Navigator, who connects individuals with community resources, service providers, and supports tailored to their needs. By reducing barriers and streamlining access, the BRCHub ensures vulnerable residents can stabilize their situations and plan for a more secure future.

Community Engagement, Inclusion, & Respite Services

AFLES offers Community Engagement and Inclusion Services in supportive settings where participants develop independent living skills, practice social connections, and build confidence through real-world experiences. These services are designed to foster belonging while helping individuals apply skills in community life. In addition, Respite Services provide families with a critical break from caregiving responsibilities, while their loved ones receive compassionate, high-quality care. These supports strengthen family stability and promote well-being for both caregivers and participants.

Our Mission: Ashby Family LEAD & Engagement Services exists to support and empower individuals with visible and invisible disabilities through culturally responsive programs, wraparound resources, and meaningful human connection—helping people live more fulfilling, fuller lives.

Whether you’re here to get support, give back, or join the movement, we’re glad you found us.