JEFFERSON CITY, MO - The Governor's Council on Disability (GCD) has selected the award winner and honorable mention of the 24th Annual Inclusion Award and the winner of the 3rd Annual Youth Leadership Award.
The Inclusion Award and one Honorable Mention are presented annually to recognize private and public employers, individuals, and organizations that have successfully included people with disabilities in education, employment, housing, and leisure activities. Individuals are also encouraged to nominate state and local government divisions or employees they truly feel excel in inclusive practices. The Youth Leadership Award is a program to recognize an outstanding Missouri youth (age 16-26) with a disability that has demonstrated exemplary leadership by making a difference in their community.
The 2015 Inclusion Award winner is the THRIVE program in Warrensburg
Transformation, Health, Responsibility, Independence, Vocation, Education (THRIVE) are the goals of any college student. At the University of Central Missouri (UCM) they are the foundation of THRIVE. This two-year certificate program prepares students with disabilities for independent living, personal interaction and employment fitting their goals and abilities. THRIVE provides improved academic abilities, interaction with age peers, computer skills, job skills and career-focused internships. THRIVE partners with UCM’s Communication Disorders, Kinesiology, Social Work, Counselor Education and others to develop the knowledge of their own students for the benefit of the THRIVE program. Students in peer organizations of fraternities, sororities, intramurals and other UCM groups embrace the THRIVE students and will ultimately become employers who hire persons with disabilities. THRIVE graduates have achieved results equivalent to other college students.
The Honorable Mention for 2015 goes to Kelsey Mack of Blue Springs
Kelsey Mack’s dream was to create and operate her own business to assist other individuals with disabilities be more fully-included and explore their talents through employment. As a result, Kelsey created The Bird’s Nest in November 2014. Located in Blue Springs, The Bird’s Nest is a gift shop which sells items handcrafted solely by individuals with disabilities. Kelsey’s secondary goal is to hire these same individuals to work within the shop. During 2014 and 2015, Kelsey signed 27 crafters, bakers and artists to sell their creations and has employed an adult with a traumatic brain injury to create her logo. Kelsey has demonstrated excellence in leadership and advocacy within The Bird’s Nest.
The winner of the 3rd Annual Youth Leadership Award is Caitlin Bartley
Caitlin Bartley recently graduated from Lincoln University (LU) with a double major in Psychology and Social Work with Magna Cum Laude honors, and has been accepted into the Master’s Program at the University of Missouri, where she will continue her quest to help others through social work. Caitlin’s disability is severe, but she has never let this be an obstacle to her accomplishments. Attributes like self-awareness, proactive involvement, perseverance, goal-setting and the use of effective support systems have led her to a successful and rewarding life. On the LU campus, Caitlin initiated changes in two of the main buildings to make them accessible. Her achievements and honors include: MDA Goodwill Ambassador for central Missouri; Missouri Youth Leadership Forum graduate; Speaker for Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon, Women’s Rights Conference, Transition Summit, and Power Up Assistive Technology Conference; Assistant Secretary to LU’s Student Government Association; and member of the Women’s Leadership Academy at LU.
For more information on the Inclusion Award, go here. For more information on the Youth Leadership Award, go here.
For additional information, please contact the GCD at 573-751-2600 or via e-mail at gcd@oa.mo.gov.