For Immediate Release: November 5, 2007 Contact: Eddie Owens, Director of Corporate Communications
(office: 806.791.8107; cell: 806.928.0462)
Teaches More than the Joy of Cooking
McKINNEY (Special) - Market Street Dish Event Center Director Ruth Thompson has found her passion - and it's more than just the joy of cooking.
Each week, she finds her real passion in the kitchen surrounded by those with disabilities who seek her guidance in any number of classes taught at Market Street's culinary school.
Now two years old, Market Street's Cooking Class for Adults with Special Needs is bursting at the seems - with both students and volunteers - and Thompson is thrilled.
"We have a huge need in Texas for day programs for those with special needs - from autism to Down's syndrome," Thompson explained. "It's a wonderful experience for me personally to be able to work with our special needs population and hopefully provide them with daily kitchen skills that lend them even more independence in their lives."
After finding success with the adult program, which hosts students ranging in age from 18 to 42, Thompson approached the McKinney Independent School District Transition Program last year, and Market Street now offers a second option for the special needs population aging from 18 to 22.
"After just one year, we've again found tremendous success," she said. "A lot of our students in the class refer to it as 'college,' as it fits in with Texas State Law requirements of school districts to help in transitioning those with special needs from high school graduation into mainstream life as adults."
This year, Thompson and her team of volunteers are unveiling yet another special needs program in the culinary school - this one targeted at fourth- through sixth-grade children from McKinney's Dowell Middle School. The monthly after-school program will focus on working with special needs children and teaching them to prepare healthy snack foods.
"There is so much that is accomplished here. You simply have to see it for yourself," Thompson said. "The joy I get back each and every day from working with these individuals is truly my passion in life. We can all learn so much from each other."
For more information about the Market Street Dish Event Center Special Needs programs, please contact Ruth Thompson at (972) 548-5167.