About Us

Our Story

How Did TELIC Begin

Contact Telic Empowerment Team

TELIC services families with youth and young adults with disabilities, ages 3-30. All disabilities are welcome, and no family is ever turned away.

TELIC Empowerment was founded in 2018 by four African American mothers of children with disabilities, who were determined to provide support, education, and better access to disability resources for the under-resourced counties where they live.

TELIC launched with a monthly parent support group to empower and teach under-served families and an inclusive art education event, Strokes for a Cause. The organization grew to provide free customized disability resource referral services, inclusive community programs, parent education, and emergency financial assistance grants to special needs families in crisis in all metro Atlanta and surrounding counties.

special needs families helped with personalized disability resources

parents provided education & support at our monthly programs

dollars awarded to families in crisis through Telic Cares Emergency Relief Fund

Timeline of Events

2018

  • TELIC Empowerment was founded and launched on March 24th, 2018 by four African American mothers, Tyisha Davis, Lisa Lake, Chrissy Edgerton, and Bettina Newton.
  • Monthly Parent Empowerment Groups began in May
  • 1st Strokes for A Cause /Art of Ability Art Auction showcasing disabled artists was held in Rockdale County.
  • TELIC conducted its first tv interview on the program, “Issue @ Hand”
  • TELIC Empowerment became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in October

2019

  • TELIC hosts its first inclusive community birthday party event, All Abilities Birthday Bash in Dekalb County
  • Featured interviews with CBS Channel 46, Fox 5 Atlanta, V103 radio station
  • 1st Award: Harris Gude Family Foundation recognizes TELIC Empowerment’s commitment to the disabled population and is awarded with an Honor of Distinction in Community Service

2020

  • 1st Virtual Parent Empowerment Groups were launched expanding our reach across the state of Georgia
  • 1st TELIC Board of Directors was formed inviting five diverse individuals, with and without disabilities, to help us create more ways to impact families, and grow and strengthen our programs and services.
  • Art In A Box virtual art program was created during the pandemic to provide inclusive art education, create unique masterpieces and have fun in a nonjudgmental atmosphere
  • TELIC Cares Emergency Relief Fund was created with a $2500 anonymous donation to assist special needs families in crisis

2021

  • TELIC Empowerment’s online Merchandise Store was launched
  • Secured 1st school partnership with Newton County School System: TELIC Empowerment became Partners in Education with Livingston Elementary School.
  • TELIC was the feature of the tv segment, “Voices of Equality”

2022

  • TELIC was chosen as a recipient to receive funding from Marcus Autism Center SPARK Atlanta research department as part of its diversity, equity and inclusion grant.
  • TELIC hosts its first Zoo Atlanta Day on Sept. 25th in partnership with SPARK Atlanta.

2023

  • TELIC hosts its first Black History community event in partnership with Spark Atlanta, providing families the free opportunity to tour the National Civil and Human Rights Museum, free lunch, and the chance to learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from his niece, Dr. Farris-Watkins, SPARK Atlanta, and the history and achievements of African Americans and other minorities in our country and abroad. 
  • TELIC celebrated its 5th birthday and hosted its 4th annual inclusive community birthday event, All Abilities Birthday Bash, in Decatur, GA!

Our Mission

TELIC Empowerment’s mission is to Teach, Empower, Listen, Include and Care for families with children and young adults with disabilities.

 

Our Vision

We provide a safe, inclusive, supportive, and informative community that will help families living with children and adults with disabilities develop their own pathway to future success. We envision a world where people with disabilities will be heard and understood, fully included and treated with dignity and respect.

TEACH.

EMPOWER.

LISTEN.

INCLUDE.

CARE.

Our Core Values

Empowerment

We empower families by teaching them how to locate necessary resources and use them with fidelity. We empower families to advocate for themselves by educating them about the school system, health care, and mental health. We empower families by assisting them with how to apply information knowledgeably and meaningfully to real-life situations.

Supportive Community

We profoundly value and listen to the voice of our consumers. We deem it of high importance to foster a supportive community for this underserved population to draw additional encouragement, information, and a sense of family. We are committed to cultivating an atmosphere of inclusion and connectedness.

Collaboration

We actively and openly collaborate and form partnerships switch organizations that benefit the families we serve. We understand that the betterment of our community is increased with the help of interested parties being given the opportunity to lend a hand.

Teamwork

We take full responsibility for our activities and our work. We honor our commitments and take pride in our work. We are not afraid to try new things. We understand that our actions affect our team, and strive to help our team flourish.

Dignity for All

We approach our work with deep care, respect, humility, and professionalism. We address our clients with compassion, dignity, and the highest regard for their opinions no matter their background, circumstance, experience, or perspective. We intend to find common ground and foster a culture that is conducive to consideration, respect, and productivity.

Stewardship

We measure our success by our commitment and our ability to be good stewards of the resources allocated to us. 

Personalization

We personalize our services to the needs of our families and stand behind our vision. We anticipate the needs of our consumers and offer services that are unique to their circumstances. However, despite our best efforts, we are subject to human error. We strive to remedy lapses in our services quickly and respectfully.

Meet Our Team & Founders

Tyisha Davis

Tyisha Davis

Resource Director

Lisa Lake

Lisa Lake

Executive Director

Chrislena Edgerton

Chrislena Edgerton

Chief Financial Officer

Bettina Newton

Bettina Newton

Program Director

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