CIELO Fund Grant sparks new opportunities for special needs nonprofit

"Ganas" is a Spanish word meaning "to want." It's also a fitting title for a Coachella Valley nonprofit that strives to improve the quality of life of the Hispanic and Latino special needs community and their families.

"We support families," says Martha Barragan, executive director of GANAS (genuine, animate, navigate, assist and succeed), an organization dedicated to empowering family members and units through quality therapies and individual programs. "Especially families that may not necessarily have a diagnosis yet."She quickly adds that many families don't know where to begin or where to go when it comes to addressing special needs.

"It's important for people to know that parents are powerful," Barragan says. "I would call them team captains in our kids' development. Sometimes professionals come with their lens, but it's really important for us as parents to ask questions — even if we don't understand and to say we don't understand. We help support the parents, help them organize their thoughts. We're not advocates. We don't go and speak for the parents, but we do help parents organize their thoughts and help them communicate clearly about what they feel their children's needs are."

The backstory of GANAS is inspiring.

Back in 2013, Barragan was deeply involved in the area of community needs in the eastern Coachella Valley and was very active in different organizations and nonprofits.

"I've always really enjoyed mission-driven work," she says. "As I grew into the field of special needs and intellectual and developmental disabilities, I began to study and work in providing ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy."

It's a vast field this side of 2020, in fact. ABA is known as a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. Analyzing behavior allows facilitators to gain a deeper understanding of how behavior operates in various situations, with the hope of offering solutions, such as increased language and communication skills and improved focus.

As Barragan immersed herself in the field, she also had her own child, who eventually needed medical attention.

"It seemed like it kind of came full circle," she says of raising her son. "I always had a dream to start a nonprofit, but it was really starting to take shape once I was advancing in my career and the field of ABA services."

Then Barragan met Maria Martinez in 2013. Barragan was working for a company providing ABA services to Martinez and her son. Flash forward several years and the women attended at a local parents' group to discuss ABA. The sessions were illuminating, with parents sharing their questions and concerns. Barragan and Martinez turned to each other and realized a seed had been planted.

By 2021, GANAS was up and operating with Martinez on board as co-founder and secretary.

Recently, the organization received a grant from the CIELO Fund through the Inland Empire Community Foundation. Because the nonprofit is among some of the smaller entities in the region, funds are often restricted and specifically earmarked to various initiatives. The CIELO grant afforded the organization a greater opportunity to continue building its infrastructure with the hope of growing further.

Notable GANAS programs include Padres con Ganas (Parents With Desire), designed to help develop advocacy skills to help parents move through obstacles to improve a child's progress. Meanwhile, Sibs con Ganas is geared for the brother or sister of a person with special needs — somebody who desires their own unique space to feel heard and understood.

In the meantime, the nonprofit continues to get the word out about its work. On the horizon is a GANAS event called Ganas de Fiesta, designed to celebrate family and community. Expect games, giveaways, local food and vital information about special needs and GANAS' work. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 13 at Oasis Elementary School in Thermal.

Learn more at theganas.org.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: CIELO Fund Grant sparks new opportunities for special needs nonprofit