It was another full house at South Junior High’s auditorium for Project Challenge’s annual Holiday Concert. Crowds filed in to listen to a recital of holiday songs with two special solo performances by Leif White (choral performance in German) and Robert Kampa (accordion). Two additional crowd-pleasers were visits from The Grinch and Frozen’s Olaf.
“We have the best choir in the world-Project Challenge. We sing with a lot of heart and joy,” says director and class instructor Kristine Hollingsworth.
The annual Holiday Concert is just one of the many classes offered through Project Challenge, a program with the St. Cloud Area District Community Education . Most people may not realize the scope of Project Challenge in the St. Cloud area or even Central Minnesota. Project Challenge is one of the few programs in the state of Minnesota that offer classes and programs to people (age 16 and up) with physical or developmental cognitive disabilities.
The program is ever-changing to accommodate the needs and interests of its participants. Classes vary from outings such as: Vikings Game at Buffalo Wild Wings, singing and dancing classes, dinner and a movie to learning classes like the Super Supper (cooking) class and Healthy Eating, Snacks and Fitness.
With over 2,700 participants, giving back to the community is a large part of the program. There are many volunteer opportunities with Catholic Charities, St. Cloud Parks and Rec and the St. Benedict’s Center.
“They like to give back, ” says Patty Gunderson , a staff member for over 15 years.
One of the extra special things about Project Challenge is its staff. The entire staff has been around collectively for two decades, and each staff member has her own personal stories to share.
Gunderson recounts a story from days when she herself was one of the instructors, coaching softball.
“We had a participant with fragile X, “as she explains, a syndrome that often times causes eye aversion.
“I worked with him and told him to keep his eye on the ball… It was amazing! He stepped to the plate and as soon as that ball was pitched, he looked up and kept his eye on the ball and hit it. I looked up in the crowd and saw his parents start to cry.”
When asked what this program means to the staff and community, program coordinator Julie Johnson replies, “It means everything. After I retire, this is what I want to do.”
“I’d cry if I had to put it into words, ” Gunderson agrees. “To watch them grow, make friends and support each other…They’re apart of something.”