Foundation Provides Job Opportunities In Jenks For People With Special Needs

The Mistletoe Market in Jenks is open this week. It's run by The Bridges Foundation and provides jobs for people with special needs.

The store is on Main Street and is filled with items made by their workers.

Two of those workers, Natalie and Amanda, enjoy their time at the market.

Natalie's job of making popcorn advent calendars is through The Bridges Foundation.

She and her teammates like Amanda make items like popcorn and dog treats to sell at the Mercantile.

Karie Jordan, President and CEO of The Bridges Foundation, oversees Amanda and Natalie while they work and said she loves the opportunity it provides for those with special needs to learn a new skill.

"Opportunities for them are just as important for us," Jordan said. "Employment is something they value, it increases their self-esteem, it gives them something to do, it increases their social network and they truly love coming to work at Bridges."

Karie says it's not only a great experience for Natalie and Amanda, but it's also great for their families.

"It gives them a safe and secure place to go to work. It allows them some respite and it also warms their hearts to see them interacting with others in the community, people on their team when they come into work and they love it," Jordan said.

It shows how much Natalie loves not only working but the product too.