She is young, full of energy and big dreams. One day, she wants to go to college and live independently. She likes singing and dreams of becoming a movie star. Her name is Annabella.
Annabella was one of the nearly 100 participants in the Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) Getting Ready for Opportunities in Work (G.R.O.W.) program this year. G.R.O.W. is a summer program featuring one-week sessions that exposes young adults to post-secondary education opportunities. It prepares the participants to enter the workforce by teaching them essential job and career skills through hands-on opportunities and fun-filled field trips. The program is funded by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA). BDI launched the G.R.O.W. program in 2022, and it quickly became a success.
Annabella spent the first 11 years of her life in foster care until her loving family adopted her. “I love my parents. They do everything for me,” Annabella says. Her parents, Viola and Jose, found out about the G.R.O.W. program through social media; they saw it as a perfect fit for their daughter and instantly decided to enroll her. For Annabella, this week was a total blast.
Her parents noticed a lot of positive changes when Annabella returned from the program. She is now more diligent in taking care of her appearance and hygiene. Annabella also expresses greater confidence in managing her finances and understanding the value of money. She has even started thinking about her career path and future home as an independent person. Moreover, she has formed new, lasting friendships. Annabella and her parents agree that she will return to the program next year.
Despite having a delayed learning disability, this has never prevented her from following her dreams and leading a fulfilling life. “I really don’t think of this as a disability at all. She loves, she smiles just like any regular person. I don’t even notice it anymore. I don’t even think it’s there. You may notice it in her speech, but other than that, I think she’s perfect,” says Annabella’s dad, Jose.
Annabella’s family is now exploring other ways for her to take advantage of the programs offered by BDI.
