Kokomo Tribune on Dan's visit to Bona Vista

Looks like we missed this article first time around, but better late then never.

Bona Vista provides support to more than 1,000 people a day. The non-profit organization assists individuals with developmental disabilities through residential and community-living programs, helps them acquire jobs, and teaches work and life skills. The program also helps early childhood development programs to assist in physical, occupational and speech therapy. Staff members use developmental therapy and applied behavior analysis services to help children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental delays.

But to keep these programs running, Dunn has to garner support from governmental agents, such as U.S. Congressman Dan Burton.

On Tuesday, Dunn and Alexander gave Burton a tour of the Kokomo facilities. Burton, a longtime supporter of special needs programs, helped Bona Vista enter into the Crane contract, a military experimental program.

Under the agreement, Bona Vista clients will have new jobs available to them where they will make pallets for the Army, to be used in land mine experiments, Alexander said. Bona Vista entered into a $47,600 contract, receiving approximately $15,000 in profit.

“The clients love having new jobs to do, and it increases their skills,” she said.

“I’m really impressed with this facility,” Burton said. “I think Bona Vista provides an extremely valuable services especially for people with special needs.”

After learning about the many programs available at Bona Vista, Burton said he and his administration would assist the organization in seeking out other contracts as well as grants.

“We’ll help in any way we can.”