Pam Ries, Program Director for UI's REACH Program was the speaker on August 16.
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
 
Pam Ries-- Speaker
 
Announcements
 
After members sang our usual rendition of "Smile" Deb Dunkhase talked about the benefits of smiling:  boosts immune system, lowers blood pressure, is a natural pain killer and makes us happy.
 
It is more important than ever to support Polio+ with the news that two cases of wild polio has been found in Nigeria.  We are holding a joint event with the other area clubs on October 10 that will take the place of our month opener for October.  More details will be available soon.
 
The Downtown Rotary Club is holding a blood drive on Monday, August 27 from 4-7 pm at the Iowa City Public Library.  Contact Paul Nichols (383-8981) to sign up.
 
Xicotepec and other parts of the State of Pueblo in Mexico have been devastated by the recent hurricane. To donate bring checks made out to the District 6000 HEF with Xicotepec in the note line and we will get these checks to the District. 
 
At least 13 members shared Happy Bucks.
 
Speaker
 
Karin Franklin introduced Pam Ries, Associate Professor and the Director of the UI REACH Program.  REACH is a post-secondary program designed for students with cognative disabilities and exists to help people with these types of disabilities find and keep jobs.  Studies show that the training through REACH leads to jobs four times as often as for those with similar conditions who do not go through post-secondary training.
 
REACH stands for Realizing Education and Career Hopes.  There are 59 students in the program this year, all between the ages of 18 and 25.  It is fully integrated into the rest of the University programs and campus life.  Additional residential assistants are hired for this program to provide 24 hour support.  All students have intellectual disabilities and some also have physical disabilities that need to be supported.  There are students from outside the US included among the program participants. Classes include academic emphasis on reading and math, a career focus and complete student life experience.  These students can audit regular UI classes if they wish.
 
REACH students are eligible for Pell Grants and some scholarship funds to help pay for the program.  For in-state students it costs about $26,000 for tuition, room and board and $43,000 for out-of-state students.