The Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Council announced a $25,000 grant to Palm Desert-based Desert Arc yesterday. This grant will help the organization achieve its mission to provide employment training, job placement and community integration for persons with developmental disabilities.
“The Walmart Foundation is pleased to fund such a deserving program that truly makes a difference in the lives of Desert community residents,” stated Kim Sentovich, Senior Vice President of the Pacific Division of Walmart. “Through this grant, we are able to further our goals in the areas of workforce development and support for the developmentally disabled.”
The grant will support Desert Arc’s Pathways to Employment program. The program’s philosophy is to provide a coordinated continuum of services, a “pathway,” to enhance the employability and careers of people with developmental disabilities. The program provides training, technical assistance, job assessment and job services, matching the learning styles of the clients with the employment needs of potential employers.
A total of 200 clients are projected to participate during the 2012-2013 project year.
“Through Walmart’s support, we will be able to provide valuable tools to those most in need in our community – the developmentally disabled. Walmart’s commitment to promoting a high quality, independent life for the developmentally disabled is admirable, and we’re so thankful to receive this grant,” said Richard Balocco, Executive Director of Desert Arc.
