Page 98 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2016

GIVING BACK enhancing life
Sstory by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Dream Program
ince 2006, the Dream Program has been working to serve and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities across the Mississippi Gulf Coast and surrounding areas. The program currently provides nine recreational programs, all of which are
free to all individuals with or without disabilities.
The Dream Program was founded by Troy and Lisa Trigg, Gulf Coast
natives and University of Southern Mississippi graduates. During his college years, Troy Trigg worked as a counsellor at a camp that was dedicated to individuals with special needs. This experience led him to study recreational therapy and begin an internship with EXPAND, a program for individuals with disabilities. He and his wife volunteered with EXPAND over the next few years as Lisa Trigg pursued her Master’s degree in elementary education.
In 2004, the pair returned to the Coast to find that the services available to those with special needs was very limited. In response, they were inspired to found the Dream Program. This volunteer organization aims to provide inclusive leisure, social and recreational experiences for individuals of varying abilities to improve their quality of life, increase independence, and provide opportunity to discover his or her own potential. Through the hard work of its volunteers and the donations of its community partners, the Dream Program is able to accomplish these goals and more.
Dream Program
228.471.5054 www.dreamprogram.net
BACOT/MCCARTY FOUNDATION
A Portion Of This Sponsorship Goes To Support Our Local Charities Along The Coast
WWW.BACOTMCCARTY.ORG
98 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2016 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
BOWLING
GOLFING
MARDI GRAS