NEW YORK: The Center for Social Change (CSC), a non-profit organization based in Elkridge, Maryland has been granted approval by the Department of Homeland Security, US Immigration and Citizenship Services to train candidates from India in the field of Developmental Disabilities in Maryland.
CSC will provide up to 21 candidates every 18 months with the opportunity to learn from experienced trainers and decide whether they wish to pursue careers in serving individuals with developmental disabilities in the Indian sub-continent.
This announcement was made by Dr Joseph Mathew, founder and CEO of CSC, at a function held on June 22, at the Ernst Theater in Virginia to celebrate 15 years of the organization's service to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Dr Mathew asserted that CSC "has designed a comprehensive 18 month training program for selected candidates, with the conviction that after their respective training, these candidates will use their expertise in serving individuals with developmental disabilities in India."
These trainings have been structured in a way that every 18 months, 21 candidates would be eligible (after a selection process) to come to the US for training. It is estimated that the training of 21 candidates for a period of 18 months would incur an investment of $ 40,000 per candidate.
The Center proposes to carry on this training subject to the availability of funds. Dr Mathew made an ardent appeal to the audience to come forward and support the training program. The celebration began with the screening of a short film which encapsulated 15 years of the Center's accomplishments in the field of developmental disabilities.
The film also highlighted the work which the international wing of CSC has achieved in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. The screening was followed by a poignant performance by Cathy Campell, a victim of Cerebral Palsy, who sang "I am crazy about you" from her wheelchair.
She received a standing ovation. Other individuals with developmental disabilities were also given the opportunity to appear on stage. The evening's primary event was the staging of a socially relevant play, "The Trial of Dara Sikoh" by the Global Performing Arts Company. In attendance was Dr Akbar Ahmed, the writer of the play.
Center for Social Change is a nonprofit organization that provides community residential support services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, supported employment services to adults with intellectual disabilities, residential and therapeutic integration services to children with autism, and day care services to medically handicapped older adults and people with developmental disabilities for choice, rights, growth and independence.
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