COHASSET — Town Manager Christopher G. Senior is pleased to share that members of Launch Cohasset recently cleaned up the grounds of the Cohasset Elder Affairs building at Willcutt Commons.
Launch participants spread mulch, weeded and watered the plants on the grounds of the building. In addition to the cleaning efforts, members of Launch routinely participate in a variety of community-based work, including helping senior citizens through collaboration with Elder Affairs.
Launch Cohasset was founded in 2014, and along with Launch Hingham (founded in 2016), is a part of South Shore Support Services. They are community-based vocational programs for individuals with disabilities, and currently consist of 42 individuals across the South Shore.
In Massachusetts, adults with developmental disabilities complete schooling until age 22. The goal of Launch is to transition these individuals from school and into the workforce through job development. These individuals accompany a job coach to job sites to perform community-based work.
Launch also works with the Cohasset Housing Authority to match Launch participants with senior citizens in need of help with certain tasks. This can include help with grocery shopping, preparing meals, yard work, trash removal and more.
“Through these jobs, our team members develop social and life skills while simultaneously supporting the community,” said Launch Program Director Laurel Hickey. “The work that we do is really a two-way street, and it is gratifying to see the smile that the program brings to the faces of both our senior citizens and our participants.”
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