Carol Berry, left and Flourish of Cullman, Inc.’s Melissa Dew (Courtesy of Carol Berry)
I am excited to partner with the Cullman Tribune to write a new weekly series, “Community with Carol.” This series will be focused on community awareness.
As a lifelong Cullman resident, I love my community! I have owned and operated a successful local business. I founded and oversaw a local nonprofit that has changed the lives of my neighbors. This organization was also designed to give back to the community and help individuals become the best citizens they can be.
I am passionate about helping in my community and not only talking about change but doing the hard work to see change actually happen.
After my first political campaign ended I wanted to use the experience to help others. On the campaign trail, I realized how truly blessed we are in Cullman. We have so many wonderful organizations and public service-minded individuals in our community.
Each week I will showcase a local organization or individual and give the community an overview of their services and contact information.
My hope is to motivate fellow citizens to get up, get out and get involved.
This week: Flourish of Cullman, Inc. with founders of Flourish of Cullman, Inc. Melissa Dew and Sharon Kane
As a retired occupational therapist assistant in the public school setting and as a retired resource teacher, both Melissa and Sharon saw a need in our community and wanted a solution to question…..what happens when the bus stops coming?
Children with different abilities grow up in a structured environment within the public school system. Then upon graduating their world comes to a drastic stop. This reality leaves families in chaos.
“Families sometimes are so focused on completing high school, and all the struggles that entails, the thoughts after high school are never addressed,” said Dew.
After watching this happen to several families, Dew and Kane wanted to see a solution. On Aug. 8, 2016 they found it, sitting in a conference with Triumph Service, a program they used as a model to start Flourish. Their vision took root that day and five days later a plan was in action to become the organization Flourish is today, employing 13 individuals and assisting 28 people.
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