Providence Announces $50,000 Grant for Supported Employment Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Audra Harrison
May 30, 2012
(410)766-2212 x111

Providence Announces $50,000 Grant for Supported Employment Vehicles

Glen Burnie – Providence, a non-profit organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, announced today it is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) and Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). The grant will be used to purchase two minivans for the organization’s Supported Employment program. The purchase of the two Honda Odyssey vans through this grant will provide a more accessible way to get to and from work for those individuals who use wheelchairs and will make the commute more efficient and normalized for all riders.

Providence Executive Director Chuck Coble lauded the grant awarded to the organization. “There is a common saying that 90 percent of life is simply showing up,” Coble said. “Purchasing these new vehicles will allow our participants to get and keep jobs while providing them a more normalized transport to their places of work. We are very grateful to MCHRC and DDA for recognizing the importance of our request and providing these much needed funds that will help us serve those with developmental disabilities better.”

Providence’s Supported Employment program provides skills training and on-the-job supports in obtaining and maintaining community-based employment opportunities. In addition, the Supported Employment program assists individuals in developing their self-advocacy skills in order that they may live lives of their choosing as they assume roles in their communities.

The grants are part of the recently announced Licensee Infrastructure Grants.

Providence, a non-profit organization based in Anne Arundel County, operates five facilities which provide care and training in programs such as Horticulture, Woodshop, and Pottery throughout the county. It meets the growing needs of nearly 500 individuals through an array of services and supports, including medical supervision and care, psychological assistance, skills training for activities of daily living, vocational training and job placement as well as retirement services.

The mission of Providence is to provide services that allow individuals with disabilities to enjoy increased self-determination in leading a more independent, valuable and functioning role in society. These support services are individually designed and professionally managed to enable these individuals to exercise higher levels of control over their lives.