On June 2, the Strawberry Festival will be held on the square in downtown Kokomo starting at 11am. If you’ve never been because you are new to Kokomo or you live under a rock, you need to check it out! In addition to the delicious strawberries and homemade shortcake, this year you’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about our WorkForce Diversity program and meet some of our amazing persons served through the program.
Did you know that our WorkForce Diversity program offices are located right on the square of downtown? No? Well, they are – 123 N. Buckeye, to be exact. I did a series of articles about our WorkForce Diversity program back in October, but you might have missed them or you might need a refresher on what the program does. So, I’ll give you a very brief and definitely not all-inclusive summary again. Then, since your interest will be so far peaked, you’ll have to stop by their booth on June 2 to ask more questions and get more information!
The WFD (makes them sound extra official) helps adults with disabilities of ALL kinds (ranging from anxiety to Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy to hearing impairment and everything in between) learn needed skills to ultimately find community employment. That’s the bare bones of it. They do SO much more that, though.
They instill confidence to get out of comfort zones. They empower people to set and obtain employment goals. They walk alongside people as they navigate the working world. They listen to fears and respond with love. They teach skills – practical and life. They look at a person society isn’t sure what to do with, and they show them what a valuable part of this community they are.
So, here’s my question to you: Who do you know with a disability who could use some confidence, use some help setting & obtaining goals, use some help navigating the working world, use some love and use some skills? Send them to our WorkForce Diversity office or have them call 765-454-5997 to get more information or signed up today!
What are you waiting on? If you think, “Oh, well, summer is here we will do this in the Fall” you’ll regret it. I guarantee it. I’ve not met a person in the program who thinks, “Man, I’m sure glad I waited before signing up for all of this help.” That has never been said. What has been said is, “Man, I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to sign up.” Don’t have those regrets! What better time to call than the start of summer. It’s a fresh start.
Speaking of fresh… did I mention the made-from-scratch shortcake? YUM! So, stop by the WFD booth on June 2 when you’re downtown getting dessert (or as I like to call it… lunch). If you don’t need the help personally, pick up literature to give to someone else. If you do know someone personally, bring them with you so they can meet some other people in the program and realize they aren’t alone. If you can’t stop downtown on June 2, that’s ok, too! The WFD office is open Monday through Friday from 8a-5pm and they love visitors!
In fact, Director of Vocational Services Meredith Freeman said, “WorkForce Diversity is very excited to have a booth at this year’s Strawberry Festival. Our offices are located on the courthouse square, so this will be a great way to meet our neighbors and other community members. Our persons served are looking forward to using skills learned in their job readiness classes to promote WFD and Bona Vista. And, of course, everyone is also looking forward to eating lots of strawberry shortcake!”
Until next time… keep a good view on life!
-AB