The business end of the trip got under way with a visit to the Groden Network in Providence, Rhode Island. They specialise in Autism and have developed a vocational support programme for their school leavers. This has grown up over a number of years and has built on business relationships and word of mouth to create new employment opportunities. For example the Groden Network and the Vocational / employment arm when they tender for construction work or service contracts for their business they always ask the question - would the business support any employment for people with cognitive disabilities?
Norman Gettings manages the USA based centre of Bananagrams. He is looking to work with Groden and provide placements and possibly employment for some of their clients. Together we visited a Garden Centre where several 'clients' are offered sheltered work, this includes art projects and basic skills in the down time and for some their time is split between gardening and other employment. Mike Smith the program director, based at Cove - the adult hub for vocational activities, drove us to the next part of the visit. On route we passed a group engaged in their work of watering hanging baskets along the main street. The City has a contract with Cove to provide this service. Some local businesses also buy in their services to wash the windows.
Mike and his colleague Demi from Groden accompanied us on the visit and the discussion as we went helped inform and illuminate the activities we saw. One noteworthy activity is the links Groden have with Providence's 'WaterFire' this is a monthly festival when, with great ritual, theatre and ceremony boats travel along the waterways at sunset lighting water based braziers. There is music, stalls selling food and souvenirs, entertainment and a great local community involvement. Groden have played their part, for example planting flowers in the braziers between displays and preparing kindling for the monthly fire lighting. If you are ever in the area of Providence - make sure you time it to catch WaterFire.
As part of this Fellowship I am writing up each visit in more detail and reviewing the factors I find common to all successful enterprises. My report will consider what works well and what factors need to be considered when developing employment opportunities for people who having learning difficulties. Consequently in future blogs I will give a snapshot of the business side and a look a little more at the human side of maintaining a Fellowship while away from home, friends and the usual comfort zone. For anyone keen to keep up with the business part of the fellowship - let me know and I will email you a copy of the final report.
To Sue, Jeff and others who have tried unsuccessfully to post a comment - sorry I do not know how to sort that for you. However you could always email - wrightmj2004@hotmail.co.uk - but if the message is something like "Stop blogging......" You may have to wait until I return home!
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