New opportunity available for individuals with developmental disabilities
Midwest Community Services, a day center/retail store for developmentally disabled adults, opened this month in the plaza. Individuals work on creating crafts for the store and then concentrate on building relationships and being involved in the community. Contributed | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Midwest Community Services, which has locations in several counties in Ohio, is presenting a new opportunity for adults in the community with developmental disabilities.
“We want them to feel valued, learn job skills and gain employment in the community,” said Kacie Simmons, program coordinator.
The individuals do that by manning the new store in the Downtowner Plaza right next to Sears and creating crafts while working there.
“We are a business,” Simmons said. “The individuals make stuff while they are here and hang it up on the walls to be sold in the shop.”
Midwest Community Services hosted a community open house on April 12 and is working on filling the store with items such as wooden signs, benches, bird houses, jewelry and greeting cards.
In addition to helping to create those items the employees are learning janitorial skills, life skills, teamwork and customer service lessons and Simmons is looking for volunteer opportunities for them.
“We have close to 10 people working here right now and more are applying,” Simmons said.
Individuals can work up to three hours a day and earn minimum wage.
“We want to give them the chance to earn a pay check and our goal is for everyone to feel proud of themselves,” Simmons said. “I opened the doors at our Muskingum County location and we started with two people there and are now pushing 60. I’d like to see that happen here. We have a lot to offer.”
The individuals work from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more on Midwest Community Services you can call the shop at 740-722-9045 or contact Simmons at 740-291-2941.
“We have an open door policy,” she said. “People are welcome to come in and see what we do or volunteer to lend a hand.”
Category: Business
