Forging a new path for inclusivity, the Bloomington Police Department (BPD) has teamed up with Empower Inclusion this summer to roll out a novel internship opportunity designed specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Known as the Growth Through Opportunity internship, the initiative provides a platform for two interns, Jonny and Gage, to explore diverse work experiences across various City departments. They're set to truly immerse themselves into various roles by spending their Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., learning the ins and outs of the city's operations.
According to the City of Bloomington's news release, Officer Desmond Daniels expressed that the BPD is "excited to partner with Empower Inclusion to offer this internship because we know it will be an enjoyable and thrilling 10 weeks for both Jonny and Gage." Daniels further highlighted the Bloomington Police Department's commitment to inclusivity and their eagerness to quickly open doors and show not just their own work, but to highlight "the amazing work of all of our partners at the City of Bloomington."
The internship spans a period of over two and a half months, allowing for substantial exposure to different career paths and vital work culture experiences.
As the summer progresses, Jonny and Gage are expected to take nuggets of knowledge and practical experience from each department, building a robust resume in the process. Officer Daniels encapsulated this sentiment, noting that the program "will open doors for participants like Jonny and Gage and offer them the opportunity to learn many new jobs and build their resume for future endeavors." The Growth Through Opportunity internship thus stands to potentially pave the way for more inclusive workplace practices across various sectors, starting from within the civic backbone of the City of Bloomington.
