Arlington, VA, December 1, 2017 - The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia would like to congratulate Hoang Phan, Oscar Cuevas, Huang Vuan, Ashley Benteler, and Stephen Snyder for being selected as this year’s LEAP awards winners. Each year, The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV), through a grant from the HSC Foundation, provides the LEAP awards to support youth and young adults with disabilities in transitioning to the next step in their lives and careers.

The HSC Foundation puts together an awards reception at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC  each year to honor some of the LEAP winners. This year, ECNV LEAP winner Hoang Phan has been selected by the HSF Foundation to speak at the awards reception. Hoang is a student with Down Syndrome and just started his first semester at the George Mason University's Life Program and was awarded a Macbook Pro laptop to help with his studies.


Hoang Phan with ECNV Executive Director James Garrett
 

As you know, transitioning from high school to college can be very challenging for students with disabilities. These challenges include receiving accommodations, communicating with teachers, and the financial burden of tuition and fees that goes along with it. Thanks to the support of my family, the George Mason University, and the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, I have been able to overcome these challenges." Said Hoang Phan.
 
Hoang said his dream is to become independent, graduate college, and start a career in finance. "I hope to find a job so that I can take care of myself and my wonderful family." Said Hoang.
 
Hoang will be receiving his award at the Kennedy Center on November 9th.
 
The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, Inc. (ECNV) is a community-based resource and advocacy center which is managed by and for people with disabilities. ECNV promotes independent living (IL) philosophy and equal access for all persons with disabilities. We operate from a philosophy of consumer control and peer-to-peer relationships to empower people with all types of disabilities to direct their own lives.                   
 
CONTACT: Amir Abdolrahimi, Communications Manager    
EMAIL: Amira@ecnv.org
Telephone: 703-673-4497
www.ecnv.org