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Group matches challenged with needed resources

The Andalusia Star-News - 12/8/2017

CCCED is among UF agencies

Contributions from United Fund help the Covington County Committee on Employment with Disabilities connect physically and mentally challenged residents to resources that help them overcome those challenges.

"We have two major contributors to our organization. United Fund is the top, and we also have the Dixon Foundation," Theresa Farr, secretary for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, said.

The CCCEPD's primary goal is to educate the public on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and helping people with disabilities gain greater independence.

"Our main goal is to get those with disabilities involved with the community and show them what is available, what can benefit them," Farr said.

The CCCEPD does this through coordinating employment training conferences, which are meant to educate high school students on the many opportunities they have in the workforce.

"We have two each year. One usually in the spring, and one in the fall," Farr said. "With each event, we have to have T-shirts for all the students, food, and we have guest speakers such as local business owners or a representative from Walmart to come and speak to the students."

Specifically, the money from the United Fund goes toward these Employment Training conferences.

"The price can be anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for one of these events," Farr said.

The fall luncheon is geared more toward the employers who hire those with disabilities, as well as other donors to the CCCEPD, Farr said.

"A lot of employers don't know the actual benefits of hiring someone with a disability," Farr said.

"There are incentives and benefits offered to employers who have workers with disabilities, and the United Fund's donations helps us bring awareness to that." Farr said.

The United Fund has set a goal of $120,000 for its 2018 distribution.

Donations for the Covington County United Fund may be sent in to P.O. Box 1791, Andalusia

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