For 50 years, the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) has provided resources and support to allow the people served to live, learn, and earn in Marion County. That statistic alone more than makes them MarionMade!
But, how does MCBDD fit in to the MarionMade! theme in our community? Obviously, serving people with developmental disabilities and their families locally is important – but it’s deeper than that – it’s about people. It’s about inclusion, diversity, acceptance, and support. These are the threads that make communities great.
Getting to know your friends and neighbors of all walks of life provides perspective through a different lens. Seeing Marion County through the eyes of our community members with developmental disabilities is to see strength, courage, ability, creativity, and truly happy, grateful souls who add a little spark to every person they encounter.
Today, more than 800 Marion County children and adults are being served locally by MCBDD. Based on available resources, the County Board may provide, or arrange for, service and support administration, early childhood services, supported living/residential services, family support, job training, employment services, Special Olympics, community integration and many others. In 2018 alone, our organization linked those served with over 40,000 connections of resources and support. The organization uses a mixture of local tax dollars, federal, and state funds to make the lives of those served (and their families) better.
As we turn the calendar and begin a new year, we encourage you to take a MarionMade challenge to meet someone new in our community. Go out of your comfort zone to learn about those who are slightly different than you. Volunteer for the Special Olympics, employ someone with a developmental disability, get involved, get educated, and get ready to fall in love with a part of your community that you may not have thought of before.
#MarionMade #WeAreMCBDD
