The Common Council on Aug. 25 adopted a special resolution recognizing a partnership between the Logan Center’s PREETS pre‑employment training program and the city’s Venues, Parks and Arts department (VPA) that placed three young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in paid internships.

Councilmember Sharon McBride introduced the resolution on behalf of the Parks Committee and read its text praising the participants—Ethan Rogers, Joseph Zurbach and Tyler Ingram—and staff from Logan Center (transition specialist Marla Gaudette and supervisor Elizabeth Hambrook), VPA (executive director Jordan Gathers and facilities director John Martinez) and Pastor Carl Hetler for training on safe interactions with unsheltered residents and environmental safety.

Logan Center staff and the interns spoke from the podium. Marla Gaudette described how the young adults had taken ownership of maintenance tasks at Southeast Park and at the VPA facilities building. Interns thanked the city and Logan Center; one said the work “changed my life forever.” Pastor Carl Hetler (City unsheltered community coordinator) described training given to the interns on boundaries and safety when interacting with persons experiencing homelessness.

Councilmembers offered remarks of appreciation; multiple members said the project showed how partnerships can create meaningful paid work and skills for people with disabilities. The council then recessed into the Committee of the Whole to continue the meeting.

The resolution welcomed the partnership as a model for inclusive employment and thanked Logan Center, VPA staff and the interns’ families.