MONTICELLO, NY — Deborah Worden, executive director of Action Toward Independence (ATI), was the guest speaker at the August meeting of the Monticello Kiwanis.
ATI protects the independence, inclusion, participation and personal choice of persons with disabilities.
Worden discussed the services provided by ATI to Sullivan County residents, especially its youth.
She advised Kiwanis members that the organization assists children in foster care and offers transitional services to children aging out of the foster care system.
Life- and social-skills training for children in elementary, middle and high school are also offered.
The mission of Kiwanis is to improve the world one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Sweet Dreams Project assists children who are removed from their homes and transitioning into the foster care system.
That work aligns with the mission of ATI, a spokesperson said.
Kiwanis president Marvin Rappaport thanked Worden for a very informative presentation, and the club donated $250 to ATI from the Sweet Dreams Funds. The donation will be used to assist ATI with its services to the youth in the community.
Contributed by Monticello Kiwanis.