March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This recognition was created in 1987 by President Ronald Regan in order to increase “public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities” and to provide the “encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these developmental disabilities can encompass both physical and cognitive impairments, as well as learning, language and behavior areas.
Goodwill prides itself in being the largest employer of people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. For example, Goodwill North Central Texas’ Summer Earn & Learn program provides youth with disabilities the opportunity to earn paid work experience with employers in our area, and our S.T.A.R.S. program is a one-of-a-kind day habilitation center that provides adults with disabilities opportunities to develop pre-vocational and personal skills in order to achieve maximum independence.
Crystal is a participant in our Grapevine S.T.A.R.S. program with autism. She has been in the program for five years, and during that time has developed her social skills and safety knowledge. Instructors say that when she was introduced to the program Crystal had difficulty adjusting to a classroom setting but eventually found her stride.
“Crystal is a very bright, cheery and helpful individual,” said Mike Jones, Program Manager for Grapevine S.T.A.R.S. “It’s a world of difference from when she first got here.”
When asked what her favorite part about S.T.A.R.S. was Crystal replied, “I love my art room, and getting to see my friends.”
Crystal has also received pre-vocational training at the Goodwill retail store in Hurst and takes the bus to and from S.T.A.R.S. with Catholic Charities, where she is able to put the lessons she has learned from Community and Pre-Vocation classes to work.