The Knights of Columbus Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities continues through Saturday in Pella.
Christian Opportunity Center is one of the local groups benefiting from the fundraiser, and the organization has seen significant changes in the last year that have shifted the way they help the people they support.
Their Community Based Employment (CBE) program has expanded after sheltered employment ended this spring, and currently, ten people in Pella and six people in Knoxville are receiving help to find jobs at local businesses.
Morgan Johnson with COC tells KNIA/KRLS News she spends most of her time finding willing business and industry owners to hire people with intellectual disabilities.
“One big challenge is a lot of employers aren’t sure if [who we serve] are capable of this, can they really do this job,” she says. “So we really have to say, ‘yeah, they’re more than capable and that’s when we kind of offer them to do an assessment, like ‘we can have them come in and try it, and let you see for yourself.'”
“That’s when they do see for themselves that they can do this job.”
The Knights of Columbus Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities will continue today with a telethon for donations and with local athletes and Knights collecting donations at the Pella Hy-Vee, Walmart, and Fareway stores through Saturday evening. Proceeds also benefit special education programs at Pella and Pella Christian schools and the Iowa Special Olympics.