Last week’s program was provided by Rotarian Lewis Marshall.  Lewis guest speaker was Samantha Gwaltney, Chief Operating Officer with MacDonald Training Center. 

     MacDonald Training Center (MTC) is a leader and innovator in educational, vocational, residential and employment services to people with disabilities. MTC believes it is a privilege to serve individuals with disabilities.  They believe the people we serve are productive, contributing and valued members of our community and the people we serve should be afforded opportunities to give back to their community.  MTC further believes in real homes, not “home-like environments”, and in real work, not “work-like environments.”

     MTC’s Day Services provides supportive vocational education to maximize each person’s skills in job readiness, daily living and communication. Training is person centered, to attain the greatest degree of independence for each individual.  Vocational education focuses on Certificate based technical skills with elevated life skills development to assure employers that the candidates have the talents and skills needed for employment and the emotional intelligence to navigate an inclusive, neurodiverse workplace.  MTC’s Job Skills is vocational education which  prepares individuals with disabilities for career advancement, the possibility to earn a living wage and a more self-sufficient independent life.

     MTC mainly works with adults 18 years of age or older, but they do host “camps” during out of school times for younger kids.  Through fund raisers and their business enterprise program MTC has done amazing things for individuals with disabilities.  If you can help support MTC contact Samantha Gwaltney.