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New Transportation Manager Illustrates Workshop Extra Efforts
Eighty percent of the 183 individuals working under BCI’s organizational employment program in St. Charles County have lost van transportation since reduced state funding sent transportation into a tailspin beginning in 2021. With recent financial backing from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board (DDRB) of St. Charles County, McNeil joined BCI to work toward creative solutions.
“BCI helps adults with disabilities live empowered, positive lives, and we know they are capable of great things,” said McNeil. “That’s why we must address transportation. It’s a new barrier. These individuals should not lose out on all the great things employment brings to their lives because they can’t get to work.”
A United States Marine Corps veteran and former Bridgeton, Mo., police officer, McNeil earned a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from Lindenwood University in 2022. He is also a 2021 graduate of the National Society for Leadership and Success.
“Desmond’s prior experience as a Marine Administrative/Logistics Specialist provides the ideal background for this position,” said BCI CEO Troy Compardo. “Marines are trained to improvise, adapt, and overcome all obstacles in a situation, and the transportation barrier is one of the largest obstacles in achieving meaningful employment for those we serve. His Marine Corps training coupled with his education is an ideal complement that will undoubtedly yield workable, scalable solutions for a population desperately asking for support.”
As McNeil implements transportation and ridesharing opportunities for BCI employees, the goal is that these solutions will widen to cover transportation for other disability-related programs and services.
For more information on BCI and it’s programs, call (636) 978-4300 or visit https://www.boonecenter.com/.