Foothills CAN

Foothills CAN Lunch and Learn: Friday, January 14 – POSTPONED

Out of concern for the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, Foothills CAN has decided to postpone the January 14 Lunch & Learn. We appreciate the folks at Clemson LIFE working with us on this event and plan to reschedule this program with Clemson LIFE as soon as we feel it is safe for everyone involved. Thank you for your understanding. We will keep you posted.

Foothills CAN is all about supporting individuals with disabilities in Anderson/Oconee/Pickens Counties. Our Lunch and Learns, held one Friday, each month, in various locations within the 3 counties, are designed to educate the public about individuals with disabilities and their ability to work and enjoy life. We hope you will be able to join us for these informative events.

Contact Mike Cannon: michaelcannon@charter.net or 864-314-2610 (cell), with any questions or to RSVP.

Mike Cannon
michaelcannon@charter.net
864-314-2610 Cell

Click Here for Pictures from Our Lunch and Learn on December 6, 2019

Welcome to Foothills CAN (Collaborative Action Network).

CAN… Working together to put the needs of individuals with disabilities first.

Foothills CAN is a collaborative initiative between Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties. The CAN concept originally started in Greenville County as an initiative of the Barbara Stone Foundation and is known as Greenville CAN in Greenville County. The shared belief behind CAN is that through collaboration, we can make our communities a better place to live for individuals with disabilities. As more communities start their own CAN initiatives unique to their specific needs, our collective efforts will hopefully impact our region and eventually our state.

Foothills CAN Mission Statement:

Foothills CAN’s mission is to make our communities a better place to live, work, and play for individuals with all levels of disabilities.

Foothills CAN Model / Philosophy:

Foothills CAN is a coalition. It is not an organization, program, or entity.
1. Foothills CAN serves as the table where organizations come together to take collective action.
2. We were created by the communities for the communities. The organizations and individuals that comprise Foothills CAN feel a shared sense of ownership and investment because they co-created Foothills CAN together as a mechanism to work collaboratively on a collective desire to make our communities a better place to live, work, and play for people with disabilities.
Foothills CAN fulfills our mission by:
1. Promoting systemic change.
2. Advocating for integration and inclusion.
3. Providing a catalyst for change.
4. Aiding in building capacity of existing organizations.

Foothills CAN Strategic Priorities:

Increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to reach their desired destinations.
Create an easily accessible system for connecting service providers to help all stakeholders be aware of appropriate services and opportunities which are available to individuals with disabilities.
Help individuals of all ages and abilities have access to and be engaged in a comprehensive array of recreation, arts, and enrichment activities to enable them to thrive as engaged community citizens. Some of these activities should include Special Olympics and the “Night to Shine” prom.
Support individuals with disabilities so they my have a safe, affordable, and accessible housing suited to their needs and level of independence.

Untapped Workforce…

Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee County Disabilities and Special Needs Boards serve 2,300 individuals with disabilities and 1,300 individuals with disabilities are served through SC Vocational Rehabilitation for Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee Counties.

According to the 2010 US Census, there were 45,000 individuals with a disability under 65 years old living in the counties of Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee County in 2010. This number is estimated at 47,000 in 2017. The unemployment rate in South Carolina for all individuals with disabilities in 2017 was 28.70% and up to 90% for individuals with intellectual disabilities. One of the primary goals of Foothills CAN is to reduce the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities.

Foothills CAN Support Group

Anderson County DSN Board
Pickens County DSN Board
Arc of Oconee
Vocational Rehab for Anderson, Oconee, & Pickens County
The City of Anderson
Clemson LIFE
Electric City Bluegrass 104.7 FM 1020 AM WRIX
SC Works Worklink
Concord Baptist Church
Coastal Carolina National Bank of Greenville
Crowe’s Corporate Promotions of Anderson
Congressman Gresham Barrett
Defender Services of Anderson
Foothills Motorsports of Anderson
General Machine of Anderson
Grainger Nissan of Anderson
Barbara Stone Foundation
Greenville CAN
Palmetto Physical Medicine

Tri-County Technical College
Anderson University
Southern Wesleyan University
Clemson Outdoor Lab
Dr. Dale Treash
AnMed Health
Walgreens
The City of Seneca
Oconee County Council
Industrial Bonded Warehouse
Ionosphere Travel
Metrocon, Inc.
Natalie Barrett
Orian Rugs of Anderson
Schneider Electric
Senator Thomas Alexander
Upstate Alliance
Dr. Lisa McWherter
School District of Oconee County
Anderson School District 2
Sargent Metal of Anderson

Contact Us:

Foothills CAN: If you have questions, need additional information, or would like to be involved, please contact Mike Cannon at michaelcannon@charter.net.

CAN for your Community: If your community would like to learn more about how to start a CAN initiative, please contact Mike Teachey at lara@barbarastonefoundation.org