Former Starkloff intern Sarah Schwegel is SDI’s new Youth Transition Coordinator. She will be leading the Dream Big program. “I am delighted to be back at SDI as a full-time employee,” Sarah says.

As an intern in 2015, Sarah worked directly with Lori Becker, our Director of Development. “Having worked with Sarah,” Lori says, “I knew she was exactly the right person to lead the Dream Big program. Not only does she have the experience as a young person with a disability, she is extremely intelligent, a creative thinker and a real team player. She meets all the deadlines and always exceeds expectations,” Lori adds. “As an employee, I could not have asked for a better person to join our team.”

Lori could also see how Sarah would be an amazing role model for the students going through Dream Big. “She lives a full and independent life as a person with a disability, which is the example we want to set for the young people in the program,” Lori says.

Sarah graduated with a Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Services from Maryville University in 2015. She just got her Master’s in Public Administration from Saint Louis University on May 19.

Having worked with youth who have disabilities for many years, Sarah is uniquely qualified to lead this program. In high school, she worked at Variety Adventure Camp every summer as a peer counselor. During her practicum with the Muscular Dystrophy Association at Maryville, she created the Young Adult Support Group, so young people with MD could network and connect with resources.

“I enjoy working with high school students to help them figure out the transition to adulthood,” Sarah shares, “and I love helping them navigate the plethora of disability-related services that are available.”

In her free time, Sarah plays Power Soccer with the Disabled Athlete Sports Association. “I love Disney World,” she professes, “and reading is my favorite way to relax.”

We welcome Sarah to the SDI team!