AUBURN, Ind. (WLKI)- CASS Housing has received a $100,000 grant from United Way of DeKalb County to expand services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
According to CASS Housing, the Community Impact Grant will initially fund life-skills education in Auburn while helping the organization prepare for future housing opportunities in the county.
"We are incredibly grateful to United Way of DeKalb County for believing in this work and investing so generously in adults with disabilities and their families," CASS Housing Executive Director Becca Graf said.
CASS Housing currently provides affordable housing, education through CASS Academy and community-engagement opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Its expansion into DeKalb County will begin with CASS Academy small groups in Auburn at the end of September.
Each small group will meet once a week for six weeks and concentrate on a specific life-skills subject.
Topics may include safety at home and in the community, cooking, housekeeping, finances, healthy relationships and community connections.
The program is intended for DeKalb County adults age 18 and older who have intellectual or developmental disabilities, have left high school and would benefit from additional classroom support.
Before the sessions begin, CASS Housing will host a free meet-and-greet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the YMCA of DeKalb County, 533 North St. in Auburn.
Adults with disabilities and their families can meet the CASS Housing team, learn about the program and ask questions.
The come-and-go event will also include games and light refreshments. Guests should enter through Door 4.
United Way of DeKalb County Executive Director Tyler Cleverly said the partnership will bring new resources to adults with disabilities and their families.
"Supporting programs that help individuals build life skills, gain independence, and create meaningful connections strengthens not only the people being served, but our community as a whole," Cleverly said.
CASS Housing is also planning a larger Auburn campus that would eventually include housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with space for education and programming.
The organization said launching small groups will allow it to begin serving residents and developing relationships with local families as plans for the future campus move forward.
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