Purpose and potential for adults with disabilities, event celebrates their creations
Across the Central Valley and into the foothills, groups of men and women can be seen daily, walking together to restaurants, stores and other destinations. Often, their trips are by bus.
These are young adults practicing life skills through Central Valley Training Center, a place where adults with disabilities can learn to live life to their fullest potential.
“We really want them to be seen, and we want them to be collaborators. We’re not here to have them be tucked away in a classroom or put off to the side,” said Zach Dowdy, program manager for the Modesto South site on Kansas Avenue, which is opening its doors for a special public event Friday. “We’re here for them to be front, out and center, for their personalities to shine, and for them to contribute, because they do have things to contribute.”
Central Valley Training Center was founded in 1982 by Ray Nylen, who at age 77 continues to serve as its president. He started as a special education teacher and then became a program specialist at the Stockton Developmental Center. He saw the program was limited in how it worked with participants. He founded Central Valley Training Center in Stockton with nine participants to give adults with disabilities agency and purpose.
There are now over 900 participants at 12 sites in the Valley. In addition to Modesto, CVTC is in Fresno, Jackson, Merced, Sacramento, Stockton, Valley Springs and Visalia.
The center works with adults with disabilities to help teach them behavioral, life and vocational skills.
“If they are a little bit more independent, then we would help them find a job, maybe work on social skills. We’re person-centered, so we meet each person, no matter the disability, where they’re at, and provide services from there,” said Benjamin Walters, director of the Modesto South site.
A typical day at the center starts at 9 a.m. when participants choose which activity to take part in. There are classrooms focused on arts and crafts and others on daily tasks like socializing, cleaning and cooking. There’s even a sensory room decorated like a calming ocean with serene music and dimmed lights.
Each classroom has one or two instructors. There are daily outings for lunch or shopping, usually by bus, to acclimate them to public interactions. Walters said most outings are filled with support and encouragement, and he hopes people will say hello to participants so they feel engaged in their community.
There is also an emergency response team to offer specialized support if a participant becomes overwhelmed or is in crisis.
A unique component of the program focuses on teaching the participants how to be entrepreneurs.
Brianna Delgadillo, 33, is hoping to thrive in her microbusiness. She makes jewelry, buttons and keychains and is learning how to scale her creations to sell. She will be one of several creators selling their wares at the center’s open house Friday, May 15. The event will celebrate the center’s renovations and focus on uplifting the individuals in the community who are often overlooked.
“At a time when conversations around inclusion and community engagement are increasingly important, this event offers a tangible, local example of what that looks like in practice,” according to a press release. There will be accessories, art, sculptures, and more for sale, with proceeds going directly to the makers.
The event will be held at the Modesto South location, 1405 Kansas Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“I get calls from families all the time talking about how our program is just a gift for them because it allows them to have a place for their family,” said Dowdy. He said families know the center will cater to the needs and level of independence of their loved ones.
For more information about Central Valley Training Center, visit www.cvtcinc.com.
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Purpose and potential for adults with disabilities, event celebrates their creations."
