Pueblo non-profit helps people with disabilities reach self reliance during government shutdown
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - The Center Toward Self-Reliance (CTSR) is working to help people with disabilities live independently through dozens of free programs as the government shutdown continues to strain personal funding.
“They’re not reliant on government. They’re not reliant on people who might be strangers. We want them to be self-reliant, and these kids can pull it off and we’re sure of that," Executive Director Bill Edwards said.
CTSR works with people with both physical and cognitive disabilities. Its programs range from job training and placement, outfitting homes with handholds and other aids, loaning out disability equipment for free, transitioning people from nursing homes to community-based living, helping individuals with yard and household chores, and more.
“These kids will go out and interview, and they get bypassed all the time because people make assumptions," Independent Living Director Bonnie Clark said.
Bill Edwards with CTSR said a large percentage of their client base is struggling with the SNAP cuts during the government shutdown. He said their food pantry is strained from a flood of new requests, and he's having to refer people to other food pantries around town to keep up with the demand.
"The SNAP benefits they were relying on are no longer there, and because of that, we've gotten a flood of calls," Edwards said.
CTSR has a job training program specifically for children and young adults ages 14 to 24. The organization works with Pueblo District 60 and District 70 students.
“Once we’ve gotten them placed and get them out there doing the job, they realize these kids are very capable and very skilled and more reliable than many people are," Clark said.
Edwards said the goal of CTSR is to help individuals live independently, so disruptions like the SNAP cuts aren't as burdensome.
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