<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1qUHlR_0vkT21K000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1qUHlR_0vkT21K000" width="1320" height="743" >GRAND TRAVERSE, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Grand Traverse Industriesis celebrating a huge milestone and a grand opening of a new outdoor recreation park.For 50 years, GTI has been providing employment support services and social day programs for people with disabilities. They provide opportunities both in the facility and out in the community.“We like to say at GTI that we make paychecks and smiles for our folks. For the paycheck end of things we provide job coaching both in the facility and out in the community. If one of our team members works in the facility one day, they may be assembling car parts or helping manufacture trash can liners. If they are working in the community, we have great community partners like Grand Traverse Pie Company and Interlochen Center for the Arts so they may be serving food or packaging pies, said Program Director, Micah Haven.Thenon-profit organization advocates for those with disabilities and gives them the resources they need to pursue meaningful work and a fulfilling life."Earning a paycheck gives you dignity. For them to say I purchased this thing or I paid for this that is really meaningful and for our day program a lot of the folks don’t have the opportunity to have the same social experiences that you and I do so to be able to pride that in some great community outings it means a lot," said Haven.In addition to the half-century celebration, there will be a grand opening of Friendship Park. This park is the Traverse City Facility's brand-new, fully accessible outdoor recreation area.“It is a fully accessible outdoor recreation area that features a sports court, a wheelchair swing, all kinds of picnic benches, picnic tables and in addition to that we have a really special memorial garden. That really is a place of reflection and remembrance for those that have worked here in the past over the 50 years,” said Dayna Ryan, Director of Operations.The open house will start at 11 a.m. today featuring light refreshments, facility tours and the ribbon cutting ceremony to Friendship Park at 11:30 a.m.If you would like to be apart of GTI through volunteering or donations,click here.</div></body>

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GTI celebrates 50 years and opens new outdoor park

GRAND TRAVERSE, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Grand Traverse Industriesis celebrating a huge milestone and a grand opening of a new outdoor recreation park. For 50 years, GTI has been providing employment support services and social day programs for people with disabilities. They provide opportunities both in the facility and out in...