From: Diane Jones [djones@cdcdallas.org]

Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 12:49 PM

To: Greenwood, R. Sue

Cc: Hughes, Paula

Subject: Internships, Service Learning and Volunteer Opportunities

Categories: Internship to post

Citizens Development Center (CDC) is a private, non-profit agency that has served the needs of individuals with disabilities for over 55 years.  Our mission is to empower adults with disabilities to achieve their highest level of employability.  We provide the skills, advocacy and encouragement necessary for them to develop critical vocational and life skills to help them live with dignity and purpose.  We currently have 2 programs: Work Center and Employment Assistance.

CDC’s Work Center Program provides intensive vocational support and structure to adults with severe disabilities who have been unable to secure or maintain employment or who choose to work in a protected environment.  Individuals in the Work Center program come to work daily and participate in a supervised group setting where they perform actual packaging and assembly jobs for local businesses.  This work serves as a teaching tool and is coupled with behavior management techniques and activities to improve the individual’s self-esteem and social skills.  Clients achieve their highest level of independence in a protected environment where they are accepted, respected and free from the discrimination they might face in a corporate work environment

CDC’s Employment Program provides intensive, hand-on intervention to help individuals with disabilities secure and maintain community employment and reach lifelong employability - the capacity to hold