In the Community – Handicapped Development Center

I remember coming to work with my dad at Handicapped Development Center when I was little. Being so young, I had no concept of what HDC was and did not understand anything about people with disabilities. I just knew that I loved the people I got to see when I came here.

Coming back many years later as an employee of HDC, there are still many of the same individuals that I met here when I was younger. Even though that was almost 15 years ago now, they still remember me as well. Matt remembers my birthday and can tell me what the weather was like on the day I was born. Cindy remembers me running around the Halloween dance that HDC puts on for the participants.

Handicapped Development Center provides opportunities for participants like Matt and Cindy to take part in activities that enhance social, career, and life skills. HDC even gives participants the option to become employees of the organization while earning a paycheck. The supportive environment created by the employees and participants at HDC creates strong relationships that last a lifetime and ensures that everyone has the best chance of succeeding. These services are essential to allow participants the chance to become active members of the community, but also to make society more inclusive of people with disabilities.

Thanks to Northwest Bank’s Investment Management Group and their generous support, as well as the support of many other people and organizations, HDC has been able to continue to provide opportunities for people with disabilities “to succeed, to achieve, to grow, and to be happy.” Visit www.handicappeddevelopment.org or call 563-391-4834 to learn more information or find out ways you can help.