Cadence Taylor, a student in Lockport High School’s career and community connections program, enjoys cooking, drawing and animals.
The 19-year-old Homer Glen resident said she is looking forward to exploring all her passions and plans to use a $5,000 grant to help reach her goals.
Taylor is this year’s recipient of the Homer Township Highway Department’s grant for individuals with special needs.
Taylor said she wants to attend Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, where she recently toured, to take cooking and art courses. She wants to get better at meal preparation, she said. She also enjoys drawing cartoon characters, especially in the anime style, and wants to advance her talent.
Taylor said she also wants to explore various jobs and may pursue becoming a vet technician. She recently received a driving permit and said she is excited to practice driving. She also enjoys hanging out with her friends and running 5K races.
Sue Herring, her teacher at LTHS program, said she believes in Taylor and is impressed with all the goals she has set.
“This grant is a perfect opportunity to explore those possibilities,” said Herring, who nominated Taylor. “She is very focused. I think she can achieve anything. College is a major goal, and I want her to have that opportunity sooner than later.”
Career and community connections is a vocational transition program for individuals between ages 18 and 22 who have disabilities, and each student has a different path, Herring said. They learn vocational, daily living and social skills and try to focus on how they want their adult lives to look.
Taylor is a hard worker and leader in the classroom, Herring said.
“She’s a mentor to other students,” she said. “I see her taking a leadership role. She’s kind to everyone. She is a friend to everyone. She wants to be independent and they see her doing things she enjoys.”
This is the township Highway Department’s second special needs grant, started by Road Commissioner Brent Porfilio to help adults with special needs further their training or education. The intent is to maximize their employment, independence and integration in the community and job market.
Half of the $5,000 grant comes from the department and the other half is donated by Porfilio, who has a son with special needs and knows there are numerous challenges for adults seeking job training, certifications, independence and employment.
Porfilio said scholarships and grants are frequently given to star athletes or students who excel academically. He said there is a lack of financial support offered for those with special needs, and he plans to continue offering the grant during his term.
Nominations for the next award open June 1.
Porfilio said he hopes other organizations see this grant opportunity and start something similar.
“There are not a lot of people helping special needs adults,” said Porfilio, who was wearing a bracelet Taylor made for him. “I’m trying to do my part to help.”
Taylor, who was accompanied by her parents at the awards presentation, said she was shocked to find out she won and thanked township officials for the opportunity to take college courses.
“She was excited. She was shocked. She was overwhelmed and very appreciative,” said her mom, Mikki Gattuso.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
