Clare County Community Foundation Grants funds to Clare-Gladwin RESD Project

The students in Ms. Bell’s Classroom will have a job starting in March. A job that allows them to earn a paycheck and learn about job skills they’ll need in the real world. These students are moderately cognitively impaired and their ability to practice job-related skills and independent living skills will make a difference as they move out of high school and find success as adults.

The program, Project S.A.L.E.S., was partially funded by a grant from the Clare County Community Foundation. The project gives students ownership of the management of a vending machine. The participating students will be responsible for maintaining inventory, paying for maintenance on the machine and earning a profit. Furthermore, they will use the profit to learn about spending money in a responsible way, practicing math skills, banking skills and learning about social skills while they use the money to purchase items in local stores. This project allows the participants to practice real-world-skills.

After the initial purchase of a vending machine, Project S.A.L.E.S. will be a self-sustaining project for years to come.

“While having a job and spending money comes easily to many of us, some of us need practice.” said Carol Santini, Board Chair of the Clare County Community Foundation. “We are very pleased to be able to assist in making an impact on our young community members. We have great hopes for this project.”