Goodwill Gulf Coast’s Kaleidoscope Program Named USA Community Partner of the Year

Goodwill Gulf Coast is proud to announce that its Kaleidoscope Day Program has been named the Community Partner of the Year by the University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies. The award was presented on April 23, 2026, in the John Counts Room at the Mitchell Center.

This marks the first year the College has presented the Community Partner of the Year award, making the recognition especially meaningful. Kaleidoscope was nominated by Susie Montgomery, Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator and Internship Coordinator, and Dr. Shelly Bates, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport.

Kaleidoscope is a weekday program operated by Goodwill Gulf Coast on the Gordon Smith Campus, serving young adults with disabilities ages 19 and older who seek to remain active and engaged in structured daytime activities. Since its founding in 2013, the program has grown to serve more than 40 participants daily and offers a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, music therapy, recreational games, exercise classes, field trips, and life skills training.

For more than five years, Kaleidoscope has served as a key clinical placement partner for the University of South Alabama’s Recreational Therapy program. The program hosts at least one student intern each semester, often accommodating multiple students at a time. It is also the only Recreational Therapy internship site in the greater Mobile area that offers a paid internship experience, providing valuable hands-on training for future professionals.

Kaleidoscope Program Manager Rebekah Nicholson, a 2017 graduate of the University of South Alabama’s Recreational Therapy program, is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) dedicated to mentoring students and advancing the field. In addition to her work with participants, Nicholson actively contributes to the profession through her role on the Board of Directors for the Recreational Therapy Foundation and her participation in national conferences hosted by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

“Kaleidoscope is not a passive partner. It is an active, invested, and long-standing collaborator that has consistently demonstrated what it means to support a university program's mission with genuine care, professionalism, and generosity,” said Dr. Shelly Bates.

Susie Montgomery added, “Rebekah and the Kaleidoscope Program exemplify the College of Education and Professional Studies’ motto of ‘Leading Today, Impacting Tomorrow’ through dedication to our field, our students, and our community.”

Goodwill Gulf Coast extends its gratitude to the University of South Alabama for this recognition and remains committed to providing meaningful programs that empower individuals of all abilities while supporting the development of future professionals.