By JONI TRUEX
Public Relations Director,
Kosciusko Leadership Academy

Hosted by K-21 Health Services, Rich Haddad welcomed the Kosciusko Leadership Academy cadets and guests. Rich explained the K-21 Medical Services Pavilion was the result of a KLA White Paper project. The facility is an all inclusive connected health services center.

Michelle Boxell, Cardinal Services, spoke on the challenges people face and the services Cardinal Services provides.

A total of 90 percent of the programs offered by Cardinal Services are funded by the government. The new mission statement recently adopted states to assist and advocate for people with disabilities and challenges to meet their personal goals. Another key aspect of Cardinal Services is the ability and willingness to serve people where they are in the community – where they work, attend school, or interact with the community.

One of the main goals and intended results of Cardinal Services’ programs is to allow people to realize their own dignity.

MacKenzie Cloutier, executive director, Court Appointed Special Advocates explained they are a not-for-profit 501©3 organization. Originally, the Kosciusko County CASA was formed under Judge Robert Bruner and the Altrusa Club.

The court appoints CASA in court cases where there is a need for a trained volunteer to provide services to a child. CASA works closely with the Department of Family and Children Services, the courts, and the trained CASA volunteers. Each CASA volunteer undergoes many hours of initial training and continued training each year.

These volunteers become the eyes and ears for the judges in these cases. CASA is funded through fund raising, donations, grants and government funding.

Jo Faulkner, United Way of Kosciusko County, explained the United Way focuses on three areas – education, income, and health initiatives. There are nine people on the Vision Council, responsible for determining funding for applicants. Some of the programs currently operating include 211 information and referral system; Volunteer Kosciusko; Day of Caring; and VITA – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.

The three speakers answered questions from the KLA Cadets and guests.

The next KLA session will be held on Dec. 2 at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to learn about Philanthropy in Kosciusko County.

KLA is a not for profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.

Alumni, cadets and interested parties are encouraged to register through the KLA Website at www.kosciuskoleadership.org

(Pictured above) KLA Cadet Drew Flamm, Grace College & Seminary; Speaker Michelle Boxell, community relations manager, Cardinal Services; KLA Cadet Trisha Tackett, Medtronic Spinal & Biologics; Speaker Jo Faulkner, United Way of Kosciusko County; KLA Cadet Brooke Beck, CTB Inc.; and Speaker MacKenzie Coutier, executive director Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) share information about Social Services