Fulton Kiwanis heard about the Fulton Public Schools Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program at Thursday's meeting.
Leslea Alexander and two of her students spoke at the meeting about the program. Alexanders is the teacher of the JAG program at Fulton Middle School. The program is also offered at Fulton High School.
Alexander said the program works with students "who sometimes have a few more barriers in their lives."
Before teaching the JAG program, Alexander was a music teacher for 14 years at FPS.
In the program, students are taught about the community they live in.
"I want them to know what groups are out there, what things we can do to serve our community and how we can learn about what jobs are available in the community as they get older," Alexander said.
The two students with Alexander at Thursday's meeting are part of the seventh grade JAG program. JAG is also offered for eighth graders.
Before attending the meeting, Alexander asked all of her students what they liked and found important about JAG. The two students shared what they heard from their classmates.
One student said the students love learning about the community and doing projects to give back. One project the program is working on is collecting towels and blankets to donate to a local animal shelter.
Another student said they liked the class because it taught them about life skills, such as interview skills.
To join the JAG program, students interview with Alexander as the class isn't open for everyone to join.
"They have to interview with me, because it's not an open class. I need those students that are going to work best with my situation, that need my help the most. So it's a little bit of a smaller class setting," Alexander said.
Kiwanis also heard about upcoming local events.
Nancy Hanson is hosting WeBUILT 101, a series of meetings where community members can learn more about the WeBUILT project.
"WeBUILT is a unique community that allows adults with special needs to live as independently as possible and to thrive through friendship and genuine love," a flyer for the event states.
All meetings will be at the Palace Building (500 Market St., Suite 201). The first meeting will be Tuesday, March 28 at 6 p.m. Other meetings will be Saturday, April 1 at 9 a.m. and Saturday, May 6 at 9 a.m.
Hanson is also hosting an Uno Tournament fundraiser for WeBUILT.
The event will be April 28 at Callaway County Extended Employment (2611 North Bluff St.). It will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the entry fee is $15. Prizes will be available.
To sign up for the tournament and learn more, visit givebutter.com/webuiltuno.
She also spoke about the iCan Bike Camp 2023. This event offers an opportunity for people with disabilities to learn how to ride a bike.
This year's event will be June 19-23 at YMCA of Callaway County (1715 Wood St.).
To learn more about the camp, visit icanshine.org/ican-bike-fulton-mo/ or the event's Facebook page.
Kiwanis and Fulton High School Key Club teamed up for a coin drive to support the Super Sam Foundation. To donate to the fundraiser, coins and dollar bills can be dropped off at American Midwest Insurance Group (302 Market St.) during regular business hours.
Donations can also be brought to the weekly Kiwanis meetings at 1851 Underground (111 East 5th St.) at noon.