SCHENECTADY, NY (05/13/2013)(readMedia)-- Sarah Wizner of Wethersfield, Conn, was recently awarded one of Union College's Community Service Interships.
Wizner, a junior sociology and psychology interdepartmental major, will be using the funding to work at HARC, an organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities and their families by providing support, education and advocacy. She will be involved in two main programs: one providing early intervention services, and the other affording an opportunity for those with intellectual disabilities to interact with individuals without disabilities. Through the Stepping Stones/Early Intervention program, she will be part of the clinical team participating in home visits to help parents understand their young child's needs. As a result, HARC will assist in coordinating efforts to provide training and therapeutic support for families, regardless of economic limitations. Through the inclusive summer camp, she will also assist with coordinating activities for campers with intellectual disabilities to interact with those who are not disabled. This helps these individuals learn how to interact in a social situation and also educates those without intellectual disabilities on how they can help people with intellectual disabilities learn to be independent.
Wizner was one of four students who received the internships from Union College.
Union College, founded in 1795 as the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, offers programs in the liberal arts and engineering to 2,100 undergraduates of high academic promise and strong personal motivation. Union, with its long history of blending disciplines, is a leader in educating students to be engaged, innovative and ethical contributors to an increasingly diverse, global and technologically complex society.