Minnesota GTO Program

http://www.gtocadets.org/ 

We are excited to announce the beginning of something A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. for the State of Minnesota.  

The GTO (Growth Through Opportunity) Cadet Program is coming to the State of MN and will kick-off July 2018.  

Minnesota will be the 2nd State Nationwide to offer the GTO Police Cadet Program!

The Growth Through Opportunity, or GTO Cadet Program is designed for young adults with I/DD to gain valuable social experiences and job skills by volunteering for the police department.

 People with disabilities make up the single largest minority group in the U.S. and officers who have the skill set to work with this population have a significant advantage over officers who do not. Increasing the officer’s understanding of disability through face-to-face interactions with people with I/DD is key to avoiding crisis. The GTO Cadet Program gives the department a chance to get to know the Cadets through this face-to-face interaction and learn how to interact positively with them as well as helping individuals with I/DD build trust and reduce stress when encountering first responders. This program will provide mutual gains for both the first responders and I/DD.

Building safer communities is a shared responsibility.  Having an awareness of disability issues in order to protect the lives of people with disabilities  is crucial to the success of this program. That’s where you come in.

The Program will be piloted at the Wyoming Police Department and we foresee this program growing rapidly to other departments throughout the State of Minnesota.  If you would like this program to advance to your area, please contact me,  share this fundraising page and donate.  Together we can help bring awareness in the State of Minnesota.  We all do better, when we know better. 

Sean is honored to be the first Cadet to graduate from this program via the Wyoming Police Department! My hat goes off to the Wyoming PD for opening their department and their hearts!

Thank you to Chief Paul Hoppe, the City of Wyoming MN, and TSE, Inc., for seeing the importance of this opportunity and having the understanding, dedication and belief in the GTO Program.

Thank you in advance for your help and consideration! 
Sincerely,
Leslie Sieleni