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Living with a developmental disability can make everyday tasks a little more difficult. So, getting some extra support is never a bad thing. And a local non-profit organization makes helping those with disabilities their mission.
On a daily basis, South Dakota Achieve places people who have developmental disabilities with jobs, homes and even gets them involved in the community.
The organization has been around for more than 50 years. Its purpose is to give those with developmental disabilities the help they need to become independent and active in the community.
"The people we support are just like you and I. They have desires and dreams to work in the community like everyone else. And really, that is our goal to help them achieve their dreams," Vice President For Day Services and Production at South Dakota Achieve Rick Disanto said.
And with the help of donations, the organization is helping Cory Anderson achieve his dream.
"South Dakota Achieve has helped me with finding a job here and finding an apartment to live on my own," Anderson said.
For the past three months, Anderson has been working as a secretary, delivering mail and answering phones. And the job has helped him in more ways than one.
"It just gets me more confident with everything and interacting with other people just getting ready to work outside of Achieve," Anderson said.
Achieve works hard to match the employer's needs with the abilities of their clients which has proven long-term success.
"I think what we find is when there is a good match, it is a long-term employment and a good relationship and productive for the employer as well as the employee." Disanto said.
And employment isn't the only place in Anderson's life that Achieve has helped.
"Yes, I have noticed a big difference in my life. I recently moved out of my parent's house into my own apartment, so that's awesome," Anderson said.
Anderson's next dream is to work for a company as a receptionist out in the Sioux Falls community.
South Dakota Achieve is holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser so it can continue to help those in need. For more details on the fundraiser, visit the South Dakota Achieve website.
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