Mount Jubilee Ministries, Rockingham County’s premier grassroots non-profit organization for addressing the unmet needs of the teen and adult intellectual and developmental disabilities community, hosted local church leadership for a working dinner on May 8, 2018. The meeting focused on the topic of: “Ground Zero:  Where the Local Church and Local Missions Connect” was held at Pennrose Park Country Club in Reidsville. Cecil Cottrell, Executive Director of MJM facilitated the dialogue with MJM Board members and over 90 community church leaders. Cottrell presented an overview of the disparaging statistics which affirm the significant gap is services facing the special needs population in Rockingham County. His overview highlighted:

  • 1 in 6 or 15% of children ages 3-17 have one or more developmental disabilities.
  • 75% of adults with I/DD live with their parents or other family members.
  • The average waiting period for government supported services is 5 years.
  • 75% of the adult I/DD population are employable, yet remain unemployed.

Cottrell emphasized that “The local church has been, and we pray will continue to be, the most significant and pivotal influencer for social responsiveness at the community level. Without the faith based community embracing the urgent unmet needs of the special needs population, these statistics will not only continue to grow but will define the future for special needs adults.  MJM announced the planning for its first alternative adult day program to in January 2019 for 16 individuals which will reduce the unmet needs in Rockingham County by 18%.  MJM also plans to begin offering respite services which has been identified as one of the greatest needs facing families with special needs children by the end of this year.

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