Homer Township, Village Committee Establish Special Needs Grant

HOMER GLEN, IL — The Homer Township Highway Commissioner and the Village of Homer Glen's Ability Awareness Committee are offering the special needs grant to assist adults with special needs to further training and/or education, according to a release from the Village.

The intent of the grant is to maximize employment, independence, and integration into the community and the competitive labor market, according to the Village website.

Homer Township Highway Commissioner Brent Porfilio has an adult son with special needs, and throughout his son’s adult years after the age of 22 there have been numerous financial challenges in getting a job, including training and certifications, a release states.

For the purpose of this grant, special need is defined as an individual with an intellectual disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills, according to the Village.

The grant program will award five finalists with:

• 1st place, $5,000 grant
• 2nd place, $1,000 grant
• 3rd place, gift in the amount of $300
• 4th place, gift in the amount of $200
• 5th place, gift in the amount of $100

To be eligible for the grant, you must be a resident of Homer Township, and must be at least 18 years old at the time of the nomination. Two letters of recommendation (one personal and one professional) must be provided, and you must provide proof of a special needs diagnosis and proof of financial hardship, according to the release.

Relatives of Homer Township, Homer Road District or Village of Homer Glen elected officials are not eligible to be nominated, according to a release.

The nomination window closes Feb. 28. You can complete the nomination form online.