Judson’s RISE Program Partners with W.R. Meadows and Ricky Rockets as Local Businesses Offer Paid Internships to Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Elgin, IL – Judson University’s RISE Program – a unique, one of its kind program that provides a post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities announced a new partnership with two area businesses that are opening up their doors and offering paid internships to students – W.R. Meadows in Hampshire and Ricky Rockets Fuel Center in Hoffman Estates.
RISE, which stands for Road to Independent Living, Spiritual Formation and Employment launched its inaugural cohort in 2017 – making Judson the first Christian university in the state to offer such a program. Nationally, less than 3 percent of all colleges and universities offer a program aimed at students with intellectual disabilities.
Program founders Gayle Gianopulos, whose daughters have Down syndrome, and Nancy Binger – a Judson Vice President at the time, whose son also has Down syndrome – wanted to ensure their children had the same opportunities as their other siblings – and that dream included college. So after a lot of planning, preparation, and fundraising – the RISE program was officially launched in 2016 and the first cohort would begin a year later.
So far, RISE is in the middle of its 6th cohort, and since 2017 – the program has graduated 53 students.
Last year, fourth-year RISE student Kelly spent two semesters at W.R. Meadows, where she worked on administrative and organizational tasks. Kelly will be returning to complete her second-semester internship at the Hampshire-based company. Founded in 1926, the family-owned and operated business designs, manufactures and markets high-quality building materials for construction professionals across the United States.
The Meadows family remain longtime supporters of the university and Merrie Meadows – a Judson alum herself – is the company’s chairman of the board and member of Judson’s World Leaders Forum board of directors. The WLF, through its internationally-known speakers, raises money for student scholarships at Judson – including the RISE Program. The company’s president Matt Price and his family can be seen at WLF events throughout the year as attendees and sponsors.
Ricky Rockets – an upbeat family-friendly fuel center, car wash and convenience store with locations across Illinois and in Garland, Texas is owned by Barrington-area businessman Rick Heidner – founder of Heidner Properties. In addition to Ricky Rockets Company, Heidner owns an extensive real estate portfolio that spans nationwide and includes the Field of Dreams baseball field made famous by the 1989 movie Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner and H.O.P.E. House – a local suicide prevention organization that assists teenagers, veterans and first responders struggling with mental health issues.
This semester, three third-year RISE students – Sean, Katie, and Katherine – will intern at Ricky Rockets’ Hoffman Estates location where they’ll assist staff with a variety of tasks including stocking shelves, keeping the location clean, working the register and assisting customers.
To learn more about the RISE Program, please visit www.judsonu.edu/program/rise-program