CROMWELL, CT (September 5, 2017) – Ädelbrook Behavioral & Developmental Services (formerly Children’s Home of Cromwell) is among nine finalists to receive a $20,000 grant to support their work, but they need outside support to win the funding in the Liberty Bank Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Grant Competition.
Ädelbrook is a Covenant-affiliated ministry that serves children with development disabilities, primarily those with autism spectrum disorder.
To help the ministry win the grant, vote at the foundation’s website starting today through September 15.
The grant would be used to strengthen its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education by providing new lab equipment. “Our vision is that the labs will ignite and excite a passion for education in our young people, and provide future-focused vocational and job training,” Ädelbrook said in its application. “Using the lab’s graphics and 3D capabilities, student teams will create tangible items to be used or sold in The Bark-ery, our educational job training store; a win-win situation.”
The Barkery makes and sells dog treats and employs 13 young adults with developmental disabilities. The employees at The Bark-ery, located in nearby Middletown, participate in one of Ädelbrook’s Transitional Academies, which are community-based vocational programs for students ages 18–21.
Participants have completed their academic requirements for high school but may remain in school until age 21. The business gives students an opportunity to develop skills. A job coach is assigned to each employee.
