Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Ready, Willing, Enable program helps disabled in Dominica
By Kim Woods
The Capaha Arrow (Southeast Missouri State U.)
02/22/2007

(U-WIRE) CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Are you ready, willing and able ... to help others in need?

Ready, Willing, Enable is a new program that works with mentally and physically disabled children and young adults.

Southeast Missouri State University alumnus Edwin Blanton is one of two co-founders of the program. Blanton and Jennifer Catron, the second founder, are recruiting Southeast students to volunteer at their learning facility.

"I just wanted to help others, because it was doing something for someone else. That is what we are hoping to accomplish with Ready, Willing, Enable, an opportunity to help the unfortunate," Blanton said

Blanton says that he started the program after returning from the Peace Corps with Catron. While in the Peace Corps, Blanton worked as a coach for the Special Olympics. Catron and Blanton both worked in Dominica, which gave them the chance to get to know the area and start this program.

The program works with people ages 14 to 22. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Ready, Willing, Enable's first trip will be to the Dominica, a small nation just southeast of the Dominican Republic. According to Catron, the island has about 70,000 people and about 7,000 people are disabled, half of these children.

According to Blanton, volunteers will work with about 20 disabled persons during their stay. Ten volunteers will teach the children computer literacy, woodworking, sewing and other basic skills from mornings until lunchtime. After lunch, volunteers will be free to explore the island.

The program will cost volunteers $1,950 with a registration fee of $250, which pays for food, travel expenses, housing and transportation on the island. The fee also sustains the program throughout the year with books and teachers.

Volunteers must be registered and have their fees paid by mid April. Since it is a non-profit organization, the fees will be tax deductible. The co-founders believe that the benefits of the program outweigh the cost.

"I don't think money will hinder people from registering, because one of the things we recommend is fundraising," Catron said. "It also helps our volunteers to understand the time and effort it takes to run the program. They will see first hand what the money is going to."

Blanton believes that by making this program only a week in July, more people will be able to participate, because most people can't make time for long volunteer trips.

"It gives those students, especially who want to do volunteer work, the chance to do so through the summer program," Blanton said.

Accommodations for the volunteers have been made through the Dominican Association of Disabled People, one of the partners of Ready, Willing, Enable. The association has arranged for schooling, contacted the local government and has located records for all of the disabled people, according to Catron.

Ready, Willing, Enable is also partnered with the Alpha Care Center and the Special Olympics.

Account executive for Ready, Willing, Enable Rashidah Ferguson is excited to get students involved with the program due to their willingness to help others.

"College students are generally dedicated to giving back to the less fortunate, so we hope by making this program that they will join us in the cause. It is like a one-stop shop, a chance to explore the world while helping others," said Ferguson.

Volunteer registration and information is online at http://www.rwenable.org. According to Catron, once the volunteer has registered on the Web site, they will be sent a welcome booklet to explain the program in more detail.

Catron said that volunteers would also have training and orientation days. They will be asked to write short essays on some of their skills and hobbies so the founders have an idea of what their volunteer's capabilities are.

[ Back to Student Voices ]