ROGERS, Ark., Jan. 26, 2009 – A center for adults with disabilities has received a significant grant from the Walton Family Foundation to help with the construction of the center’s new headquarters. The foundation awarded the Adult Development Center of Benton County (ADC) $500,000 which will fund the vocational training area in the new facility, located on N. 24th Street in Rogers. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring.

“This generous grant from the Walton Family Foundation will allow us to provide a spacious and comfortable environment in our new facility for the adults with disabilities we serve,” said ADC Executive Director Brenda Neal. “We are so grateful to the foundation for their support.”

The ADC has offered job, life and social skills training for adults with disabilities in Northwest Arkansas since 1975. In 2008, 177 clients were served. ADC helps these adults move toward a more independent and fulfilling life by providing them job training and job placement. They are also taught socialization skills and simple cooking, laundry and money skills when appropriate. 

The ADC provides the area’s industrial community with a dependable work force that can handle a variety of production tasks that can be accomplished away from the main production line. These tasks include collating, packaging, assembly, disassembly, labeling, mailing operations and more. Walmart Stores, Inc., Cumberland Concepts, Springdale Acoustics, and Daisy Outdoor Products are some of ADC’s industrial partners. For information about the ADC, go to www.adcnwa.org

About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation works to support initiatives that honor the values and principles of Sam and Helen Walton. The Foundation seeks to provide funding to grantees who are actively working to create positive change for others. Major areas of focus include: K-12 education reform, economic development in the Delta Region of Arkansas and Mississippi, conservation of sensitive marine and freshwater environments, and enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas. For more information, go to www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org