Southern Civitan focuses on helping people with developmental disabilities

LAUREL, Miss. - Southern Civitan is a new organization in Jones County that is trying to help make a difference in people's lives.

The organization is planning on meeting every month to discuss ways that work best to help children and adults who have developmental disabilities.

Tiffany Parrish, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services business development representative said, "There was not an active club in Laurel. So, I got with the people in Birmingham. We got some great leaders and they helped get this started for Jones County for here in the Laurel area. There is lots of different projects and different clubs out there, but this is the club that is specifically geared for helping people with developmental disabilities. And, I think that's one of those unknown sources or people that just need a place to help or bring it to people's attention out there."

Some of Southern Civitan's biggest goals are to provide playground equipment and a batting area for children with disabilities.

There will be a career prep fair for 11th and 12th graders who have disabilities on April 4 at the Ronald Whitehead Advanced Technology Center in Ellisville.