The Joshua Tree Community, an Illinois non-profit for disabled adults, became just a little more independent last week with the delivery of their very own van. The 12 passenger Ford Transit Van was made possible through local donations, fund raisers and community grants and is fully equipped to bring smiles and high fives from everyone who gets on-board.
When intellectually disabled
students reach the age of 22, they're cut off from state funding that
provided them with an education and vocational skills. Many don't know
where to turn. Former special education
teacher Amy Singer founded The Joshua Tree Community in 2014 and has
worked with volunteers to create a program that incorporates learning,
fitness and recreation. Based in Geneva IL at St. Mark's Church, participants gather from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. p.m. weekdays for activities like volunteer work at the
Northern Illinois Food Bank, book clubs, yoga classes, art workshops and more.
For more information about Joshua Tree and how you can help please visit their website at joshuatreecommunity.com. To read more about their cause see a recent article in the Daily Herald.