By Michelle Bliss
09-22-10 – The Brunswick Interagency Program provides educational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. With two grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the program has started placing its students into real-world employment opportunities.
The grants are for $100,000 each and that money will be spent on helping 40 students find jobs within the next year. So far, 8 students have already started working. Since the program is part of Brunswick Community College, students are able to work on campus, perhaps running the snack bar at the gym or doing landscape work for a yard maintenance crew.
Krista Engels is the program's grant coordinator and says students benefit both financially and emotionally.
"It allows some of them to live independently, make purchases such as automobiles. But, overall, I think it really is about that self-esteem and our folks being able to give back and be productive citizens."
Grant money will also be used to provide transportation for students since getting to work can be problematic in rural areas of Brunswick County.
Learn more about the Brunswick Interagency Program.