The Polus Center and its partners have continued to help people with disabilities throughout the world with unwavering commitment despite the many challenges posed by the pandemic. Much has taken place in the past year that we would like to share with you as a member of the Polus community. Here are some brief updates on the various U.S. based and international projects.
News
Boat Building in the DRC
Polus has provided materials for a boat to be built by and used within the community to transport people, and deliver goods and services. As of January 2020, the first boat has been built, and we are preparing for a second boat to be built.
Opening Soon! Inclusive Coffee Facility in the Congo
Construction is nearing completion on a specialty coffee facility in Africa that is expected to infuse vital new economic opportunities around one of the world’s most coveted agricultural commodities, while potentially being replicated in other coffee-producing parts of the world.
All About Careers in Education, Healthcare, and the Fire Service
Over the past month and a half, I have begun to dig deeper into some possible career industries that I have an interest in exploring, in an effort to find information to help myself decide what I would like to pursue, but more importantly, to spread the knowledge I have gained to anyone looking into these career industries as well. The three industries I have explored are healthcare, fire service, and elementary education.
Overcoming Employment Barriers
CVS Health Pharmacy Technician Training Completed – Entirely by Zoom
When the Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, got the word in January 2020 that they had received a Young Adults with Disabilities Employment grant to offer CVS Pharmacy Technician training — they got busy recruiting 15 young adults (age 18-35) to participate. Polus, a Massachusetts non
Continuity of Care
Sir Bobby Charlton Center, Amman, Jordan The Polus Center and Asia Development Training (ADT) programs continue to serve Syrian refugees remotely at the Sir Bobby Charlton Center in Amman, Jordan. In fact, ADT rehabilitation staff have never stopped working. Using Apps and video conferencing they
2020 Shillelagh Awards
On behalf of the Polus Center, we would like to sincerely thank all of the families, volunteers, local businesses, performers and sponsors who supported this year's All Things Irish fundraiser. You each posses a selfless dedication to community and a terrific sense of fun! We couldn’t do it without
Charlie gets an A+
Channel 5 Features ESP Student for the A+ Segment
Envision Success Project (ESP) student Charlie Richards was featured for Channel 5's January A+ Segment. ESP, Polus Center’s career exploration program for High-School students with visual impairments, has been working with Charlie since the program’s inception three years ago. Always expressing
ESP Work-Based Learning Project: Making Commercials for Way Around
A couple of summers ago, sisters Victoria and Olivia were participating in the Polus Center’s Envision Success Project (ESP). Given Victoria’s interest in filmmaking, and Olivia’s career interests in business, ESP Coordinator Karen Gostenhofer helpled them secure a summer paid work experience with
Universal Design
Building a More Inclusive Coffee Value Chain With support from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Weapons Removal and Abatement the Polus Center sponsored a “Universal Design” workshop for coffee producers from the Eastern Lake Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Universal