Community Matters
Investing in Our Youth Matters.
Meet Joey
In June, Joey Kessler and thousands of other seniors graduated from high school. This summer, he took part in a Summer Internship Program. As part of the program, Joey worked at The Wellness Center at Meadowmont and UNC Hospitals. Just reading this outstanding list of involvement you may not realize that Joey has developmental disabilities.
Thanks to The Arc of Orange County, Joey is experiencing very normal experiences.
Twenty-year-old Joey has been involved with The Arc, a Triangle United Way member agency, and its programming for approximately eight years. He has been active with group programs such as Teen Night and Centerbase (conducted during the Chapel Hill Schools spring and winter breaks). These programs have given Joey the opportunity to interact socially with his peers and increase his independence and knowledge for accessing community resources.
"(The job) helps him with his speech, his manners and also helps him stay on a task with is very important for him," says Joey's mom Mary Kessler. " Joey would not be where he is today, having a job, learning these skills and feeling like he really has a place in this world if not for The Arc's programs."
Joey's self-esteem, confidence, and independence appear to have increased significantly through his participation in The Arc's group programs, Supported Employment Program, and his daily vocational activities. Currently he is working at The Wellness Center at Meadowmont Monday-Wednesday and at UNC Hospitals on Fridays.
After summer, the plan agreed upon for Joey is to maintain his current vocational placements and secure additional placements for the remaining mornings during his week.
The Arc has partnered with the Orange, Person, Chatham Mental Health Authority, the Department Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Chapel Hill City Schools in the development of Joey's plan of care/employment.
Joey is one of over 37,000 young people participated in programs that taught life skills, character development and leadership skills. Your gift to United Way matters.
Joey matters.