Inclusive Intern Program Brings Smiles to New Hope
Inside New Hope government buildings, there’s two new faces you’ll see this summer.
One is 21-year-old Brenna Saffert.
“Brenna is a bolt of lightening, she’s always smiling. She’s always happy to be here,” said New Hope Police Officer Brad Kallio.
The other is 19-year-old Acacia Galbreath.
“Acacia takes a little bit longer to break down I think, but she’s always smiling too eventually,” said Kallio.
They are part of New Hope’s “Growth Through Opportunity” program, which employs people with disabilities as interns.
“You can learn a lot nice things, cool things, that not everyone gets to experience unless they actually work here,” Galbreath said.
They’ve interned at the police department, going on a ride-along and sorting evidence in the forensics lab.
“I want to be a forensic scientist, so that’s kind of why I really like this,” Galbreath said.
They’ve also worked concessions at the golf course.
The city of New Hope welcomed two new workers this summer who are bringing smiles and opening minds through inclusivity.
“I cleaned the tables and the counters and I greet people,” said Saffert.
By the time the program wraps up in August, both participants will have also visited the the fire department, public works department, and pool.
“They are getting a taste of everything we do, every department in the city,” Kallio said.
He brought the program to New Hope after seeing its potential for good.
“Everybody has value and this program proves that,” he said.
But the city’s staff has benefited just as much as the interns.
“I personally think that the value that the staff gets is equal if not better than what they’re getting,” Kallio. “It shows us as staff that everybody is capable of endless limits.”
In the end, the program is a growth experience for everyone involved.
“I treat people well. I’m nice,” said Saffert.
Growth Through Opportunity was formed in Virginia by a sheriff’s deputy with a child who had a developmental disability.
Robbinsdale and Bloomington also participate in the program.
