NOW OPEN - AIDB THREADS!
Published: October 30, 2024
What would you do if you had $100,000? Well, the Regions Foundation decided to give their $100,000 to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) located in Talladega, AL. Several other donors also contributed, which enabled AIDB to officially launch “AIDB THREADS” on Friday, October 11. AIDB THREADS is a new assistance and learning program that will provide clothing and hygiene products to low-income students who attend the institution.
AIDB student life coordinators will refer students to the program based on their perceived needs. After they’re referred, students can shop at the AIDB THREADS storefront at E. H. Gentry Facility (EHG) for clothing. Middle and high school students will also learn to manage their clothing and hygiene budget when shopping. Additionally, students will be able to gain practical work experience through working for AIDB THREADS.
“We are so excited to have a way to offer our students, when needed, the opportunity to receive clothing and hygiene products, and to also create hands-on job training for our EHG students. Both the students receiving the items and the students who will be working in the storefront will learn valuable finance and budgeting skills,” AIDB President Dr. Dennis Gilliam shares.
AIDB is planning to also expand their student workers’ experience beyond the walls of AIDB THREADS and build in career development opportunities with local and national businesses. One of the ways they intend to do this is through the program’s curriculum, which leads students to create a business plan and all that comes with it, including making referrals, keeping up with inventory and purchasing, determining pricing, maintaining helpful customer service, overseeing product delivery, and more.
The development of AIDB THREADS is thrilling and will hopefully open doors for more hands-on work and future career opportunities for those with hearing disabilities in Alabama in the days to come. For more information, visit aidb.org.