ECI Monthly news & updates

September|2026

Early Communicator Calendar

First Words Calendar

Expanding Language Calendar

Painting a Legacy Together:

A Day Powered by Community

As part of the building beautification project ahead of the 50th anniversary in 2027, Easterseals Rehabilitation Center’s murals came to life in the most meaningful way—through the hands of our community. Nearly 100 volunteers joined together for a powerful day of service, creativity, and connection, transforming a vision into something lasting and deeply personal.

We are incredibly grateful to our partners and volunteers, including members of the Rotary of San Antonio, The San Antonio Area Medical Foundation, Aria Productions, Project Mend, The MAC, the UTHSCSA Schools of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, PAM Health, Patients Choice Medical, United Way, local students, ESRC board members, leadership, staff, and families. Your presence made this day truly special.

At the heart of the mural is the artwork itself—beautiful, integrated pieces created by individuals, with their families and therapists, enrolled in our Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and New Beginnings programs. Their contributions ensure this mural is more than art; it’s a reflection of the lives we serve and the community that surrounds them.

This incredible project was led by local artist, philanthropist, and public servant Paul Garro, whose vision and generosity brought it all together.

Together, we didn’t just paint a mural—

we created a legacy.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of San Antonio for embracing our mission—adding our mural day to your service calendar, showing up with heart, and taking the time to truly learn about the work we do at Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.

Nearly 50 years after the San Antonio Area Medical Foundation gifted the land that became home to Easterseals Rehabilitation Center, Executive Director Linda Tapia connects with Foundation President Richard Perez—honoring a partnership that continues to shape our legacy.

We are excited to host our upcoming MEND Day in partnership with Project MEND at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center!

On Tuesday, September 15, Project MEND will be onsite to provide repairs, safety checks, and spot cleaning for adaptive medical equipment used by the children we serve. Eligible equipment will include items such as wheelchairs, walkers, power chairs, and other adaptive equipment.

We know how important safe, reliable equipment is to a child’s mobility, independence, and participation in everyday life. MEND Day will make it easier for families to access these services in a familiar and convenient location—right here at ESRC.

We will be sending out sign-up information soon so families can reserve a time to have their equipment evaluated. We are grateful to Project MEND for bringing their expertise directly to our families and look forward to a great day of collaboration and service!

Back-to-School Support from Marathon Made CrossFit

As families across our community prepared for a new school year, Marathon Made CrossFit once again stepped up to make a meaningful difference. For the third year in a row, their team generously donated backpacks and school supplies to support children and families served by Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.

This year, more than 70 children received fully stocked backpacks—helping ensure they start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn. From notebooks and pencils to essential classroom items, these supplies ease the financial burden on families and allow them to focus on what matters most: their child’s success.

This continued partnership reflects Marathon Made CrossFit’s deep commitment to giving back and investing in the community. Their generosity not only provides tangible support but also sends a powerful message to the families we serve—that they are seen, supported, and valued.

We are incredibly grateful for Marathon Made CrossFit and their dedication to making back-to-school season brighter for so many of our children.

CrossFit Marathon Made

Spotlight Story - Cienna Field

by Alyssa Phillips

My daughter Cienna has grown so much over the years and come so far and it’s all thanks to your amazing team! We had Juli Alexander as her Early Intervention Specialist and coordinator, as well as Michele Garrison for speech services. Both of these ladies played such a crucial role in Cienna being where she is today and we’ll forever be grateful for them.

When we first came to Easterseals we didn’t know how to navigate our daughter being speech delayed and were very nervous about her showing little to no progress with her speech, but they never doubted my daughter’s capabilities. They instilled the confidence not only in Cienna, but my family as well. They said she will get there on her own timing and gave us the tools to help support her. Over time they helped my daughter find her voice, and that is something I’ll forever be grateful for.

Now that she has aged out of the program we miss them both SO much and my daughter still anticipates them coming even though we’ve explained they won't be coming any longer. Our Easterseals team will always hold such a special place in our family’s heart for all the love and time they poured into our Cici. We love you guys.

Your Story Matters

We’d love to hear your journey. Whether it’s a small milestone or a life-changing moment, your story can inspire others and help us show the power of possibility.

Share Your Story

Introducing The Heart of ECI

At Easterseals ECI, our work is driven by people with big hearts—those who go above and beyond to support children, families, and one another every single day. To celebrate that spirit, we’re introducing a new monthly feature called “The Heart of ECI.” Each month, we’ll spotlight one of our incredible team members who embodies the compassion, dedication, and teamwork that make our mission come alive. These individuals are nominated by their peers—the people who see their kindness, commitment, and impact in action every day.

Angela Mack, PT, SC

Physical Therapist

Serving Easterseals since 2021

This month, we are proud to spotlight Angie Mack, whose positivity, expertise, and unwavering support for families and teammates truly embody the Heart of ECI.

Angie is an outstanding member of our evaluation teams, known for her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with families from the very first interaction. She listens with intention, connects with ease, and communicates in a way that is both clear and reassuring. Her upbeat and welcoming presence helps put families at ease during what can often feel like an overwhelming process, creating a space where they feel supported, informed, and confident.

As a teammate, Angie brings both reliability and collaboration to everything she does. She actively shares responsibilities across the evaluation team, completes documentation efficiently, and consistently checks in to see how else she can support the process. Her strong organizational skills and commitment to timelines ensure that evaluations and IFSPs move forward smoothly, allowing families to access services without delay. She is always willing to share her knowledge with both parents and colleagues, strengthening the entire team through her experience and insight.

Beyond her work in evaluations, Angie is also an exceptional treating therapist. She brings a high level of skill, knowledge, and intentionality to every session, ensuring that each interaction is meaningful and effective. Her ability to translate her expertise into practical, family-friendly strategies empowers caregivers to confidently support their child’s development at home. This combination of clinical excellence and compassionate coaching makes her an invaluable resource to the families she serves.

Angie also exemplifies exceptional family centered care. During evaluations, she takes the time to clearly explain each step of the process, answering questions with patience and positivity. Families leave feeling not only informed, but encouraged and empowered. Her ability to balance professionalism with genuine warmth makes a lasting impression on everyone she serves.

Through her compassionate approach, strong teamwork, and dedication to excellence, Angie plays a vital role in bringing the Easterseals ECI mission to life each day. We are grateful for the energy, knowledge, and heart she brings to our team and to the families we serve.

Heart & Voice: Advocating for Tomorrow, is a monthly segment in our newsletter dedicated to highlighting advocacy opportunities for young children with special healthcare needs. This feature will educate and inform parents about current issues, policies, and initiatives that directly impact their children’s care and well-being. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to stay engaged, Heart & Voice will empower you with the knowledge and tools to make your voice heard and help shape a better future for your child.

Early Matters: Building a Stronger Future for San Antonio

Early Matters is leading a powerful, community-wide effort to ensure that every child in San Antonio has access to high-quality early learning and development. With a vision that all children can thrive and build a strong future for themselves, their families, and our community, this work is more important than ever.

In Bexar County alone, more than 135,000 children under the age of five depend on a strong early learning system—while 65% of young children live in households where all available parents are in the workforce. This makes access to affordable, high-quality care and education essential.

Through partnerships, investment, and community collaboration, Early Matters is working toward a bold promise: that every child who needs it has access to a high-quality early learning seat, and that all children enter school ready to succeed. Together, we are building a stronger early childhood ecosystem—one that supports families, empowers children, and strengthens San Antonio for generations to come.

Learn more.