09/29/2025

Local youth center launches program to boost skills for children with disabilities

Nickayla Wiggins

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — A local organization is providing invaluable opportunities to children with disabilities.

The Sycamore Youth Center has partnered with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities to create a program called the sycamore corps 'score' initiative.

The sessions primarily take place at the Sycamore Youth Center and students between 10 and 18 years old are able to gain social and employment skills.

Financial literacy, cooking and community service are a few of the many skillsets that will be offered.

Organizers say their goal is to offer valuable resources and connect people with disabilities to the community.

"I hope that people take away from this program that they're capable way more than what they think they're capable of," Coordinator Amanda Thompson said. "And they get the chance to grow."

Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities Cookie West sees this as another resource.

"This is something that we are always looking to do for our mission with the county board," she said. "So we feel like we're doing that here with the Sycamore."

The program is held after school throughout the week.