The Southwest Center for Independence has been awarded a grant to hire a half-time employee to get young people with disabilities into the mainstream.
Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Partners funds the AmeriCorps position. The employee will work with people ages 15 to 25.
“We find that most kids who graduate from special-education programs end up sitting at home alone with no job, no social life and no support outside family,” center director Martha Mason said.
Boredom makes substance abuse appealing, so we find young people, especially those with social deficits and borderline intellectual disabilities, get into trouble because they’ll do anything to make a friend, Mason said.
The new AmeriCorps staffer, Ryan White, will teach the traditional living-alone skills such as budgeting and food preparation, Mason said.
But he also will connect the young people with support groups and recreational and social activities and help them with projects, Mason said.
“By helping kids make friends, develop support networks and gather people who love them, but are not paid to be there, we will ensure that they live well in the community, being respected as full-contributing citizens and neighbors,” Mason said.
daler@durangoherald.com
