By Andy Furman
Point/Arc
They made their trek to 1100 Pike Street in Covington to Be Concerned – the largest choice pantry in Northern Kentucky. But this group was totally concerned long before they made their trip.
“We’re a community partner with Be Concerned,” said Katie Lanham, Education Administrator and Transition Coordinator for The Point’s Zembrodt Education Center (ZEC). “And we asked if we could be of some help – and they responded.”
So did the Career Exploration class from ZEC.
The Zembrodt Education Center was created to give people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) opportunities to reach their highest potential educationally, residentially, socially and vocationally.
An extension of The Point/Arc, ZEC strives to increase growth and support for individuals and families in the Greater Cincinnati region.
“Twice-a-week – Tuesday and Thursday – for a month, we’ll be here at Be
Concerned helping the Northern Kentucky pantry,” Lanham said. “We’ll change our job sites monthly.”
And on this day, the some 20-members of the class headed up by instructors Gina Brockman, Ron Haley and Lanham oversaw youngsters making shaving packs, and unloading packs of baby diapers for the needy in the community.
That is being concerned.
“The Point/Arc will visit us several times-a-year and give us a needed hand,” said Dan Clifford, Operations Director at Be Concerned. “They will sometimes take orders for us, and it is wonderful training for them. We just love having them here.”
The Career Exploration program is one of five phases in ZEC’s Transition
Program. “Students explore varied work experiences in the community in this program,” Lanham explained. “Rather than providing specialized training towards one career interest, this program gives exposure to a range of work environments and tasks.”
The other programs offered at The ZEC:
• The One-on-One/Small Group Pre-Employment transition Skills where students receive one-on-one or small-group instruction to learn pre-employment transition skills at their school or within the community.
• The Elevate Job Training program where students receive innovative, interactive instruction to build the skills necessary to succeed in work and life. Lessons include following directions, demonstrating enthusiasm, self-confidence, problem solving, initiative, accountability, and more.
• The Supported Employment Program where employment specialists get to know job-seekers and their unique skill sets so that they can customize employment and match a job-seeker’s skills with companies’ unmet needs.
• And there is the Summer Work Option Programs – two programs – for incoming freshmen – ages 14 and up – students learn social skills to prepare them for high school.
As for Be Concerned, their mission is simply, deeply committed to honoring the dignity and humanity of all persons.
“Our purpose is to assist the people of Northern Kentucky in obtaining basic necessities for life,” Clifford said. “Our primary food program is the monthly pantry visit leveraged by 2,200 families each month. Approximately 60-70 pounds of food is provided for each family; and the
most important element of our service is the opportunity for our customers tomchoose their pantry items. Nothing is pre-packaged for them.”
On this day, the people of Northern Kentucky were honored by the workers from ZEC who truly were concerned.