Adults with developmental disabilities and their families in our communities face real challenges. Building Blocks Ministries (BBM) would like to share these very real challenges with those in our community. A quote from Mother Teresa: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot, together we can do great things,” has guided BBM for many years. Together our voices will make a difference!
When adults with developmental disabilities reach the age of 22, they are no longer eligible to attend public school. The local school system has been their circle of support for over seventeen years, and now there is no one to guide them and walk with them through the next steps. Executive Director Dr. Paula Whetro, Building Blocks Ministries, shares: “There are no South Lake County government offices for individuals and families to turn to for support or guidance. The closest offices of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities are located in Orlando or Wildwood, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offices are in Winter Garden and Leesburg. Building Blocks Ministries hopes to be a place where families, organizations, and businesses can find guidance and learn how to connect to government agencies that provide funding for programs or services.”
Building Blocks Ministries is hosting a Developmental Disabilities Awareness Event on Thursday, May 16, from 5:00-7:00 pm. The focus of the event is to bring awareness to the challenges that adults with developmental disabilities and their families in our communities face and to find solutions and resources to address these needs. If you are a parent of an adult with a developmental disability, a business owner, a human resources manager, a City Government employee, an Elected Official, a Pastor of a local church, a local nonprofit, or a concerned community member; this event will help you gain knowledge to help others in our community. Will you be a voice for them? The event is open to the public. Seating is limited, RSVP by Monday, May 13, by emailing info@buildingblocksministries.com or calling 352-536-9264.
Building Blocks Ministries, located at 644 Gadson St., Groveland, has been serving south Lake County for over seventeen years, providing a Day Training Program for adults with developmental disabilities. To learn more about Building Blocks Ministries please visit the website www.buildingblocksministries.com and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BuildingBlocksMinistriesInc.
