Debbie Smelko & TJ Smelko-To Be Like Me Fundraiser

TJ teaching sign language during a Table Talk Lesson

We need your help to support To Be Like Me, a non-profit dedicated to educating our community about disabilities, breaking down barriers, and fostering empathy, compassion, and inclusion.

Meet TJ (pictured), a proud LEADer from the very beginning. He’s passionate about teaching sign language and raising awareness about what it’s like to be Deaf and live with Cerebral Palsy. TJ's fellow LEADers voted him as LEADer of the year for the 2024-25 academic year.

Debbie, our former board president, served for three impactful years and is an active member of the  advisory board to help further our mission.

To Be Like Me is a unique disability awareness program led by individuals living with disabilities—our LEADers (Leaders in Education and Advocacy for Disabilities). Our mission is to break down barriers, illuminate the transformative power of inclusion, and ignite compassion within our communities. Through meaningful interactions with our LEADers, who are employed by our organization, we offer enriching learning experiences that foster empathy and equip our communities to be more inclusive.

To Be Like Me offers both in-person and online programming.  In the last year, we reached more than 7,000 4th and 5th grade students in North Texas. We also opened our onsite, permanent program at Greenwood Hills Learning Center in Richardson.
 
Our goal this year is to develop programming for older middle and high school students, as well as reach service-based businesses so they can better serve clients, collaborate effectively, and create welcoming, accessible environments for all.

Thank you for joining us in making the world a more inclusive place for everyone.