Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the VSW VFW Partnership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Valley Sheltered Workshop to partner with VFW to open Montgomery community-supported workshop
Summary
Valley Sheltered Workshop (VSW) told the village board it will partner with the local VFW to open a community-supported workshop in Montgomery on Nov. 5, staffed in part by veterans and aimed at providing paid, purposeful work for adults with cognitive disabilities.
Representatives from Valley Sheltered Workshop (VSW) and partners appeared during the public participation portion of the board meeting to describe a cooperative program with the VFW that will place a community-supported workshop in Montgomery.
The VSW board president (name not stated on the record) described VSW's mission, dating to 1966, to provide work opportunities for adults with cognitive disabilities and said the organization intends to open the Montgomery facility Nov. 5 and reach full capacity by year-end. "Our facility will be opening November 5, and by the end of the year, I think we'll be at full capacity, being manned by veterans," the board president said.
Hugo Salter, executive director of VSW, outlined the program model and thanked Representative Stephanie Kufnitz and Rob Bailey of the VFW for their roles in creating the partnership. Salter described community-supported work where individuals partner with small businesses on real tasks, and he said VSW programming is offered free to families while participants are paid for the work they do.
Trustees asked about examples of workshop tasks and training; Salter said the program adapts work to each participant's pace and partners with local businesses to supply appropriate tasks. Board members expressed support and appreciation for the program and its local partners.
No formal action or vote was required; staff and VSW said they are available to answer follow-up questions as the project moves toward opening.
