CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The latest organization featured in our Giving Grace series has been serving Clarksville-Montgomery County for more than 40 years. Progressive Directions Inc. (PDI) continues to grow and look to the future to help people and families in surrounding communities as well.
PDI is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides services for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. PDI has expanded to 12 counties in Middle Tennessee and, with a staff of 450, support more than 1,200 individuals.
The organization works to help those affected by developmental disabilities attain personal success through gaining pride, dignity, and independence. Jay Albertia, President and CEO of Progressive Directions Inc. said they support individuals throughout their entire lives.
Albertia added the organization offers a number of programs including early intervention services, employment services, residential services job readiness services for the school system, personal assistance services and more.
One of the most well-known Progressive Directions programs is the Buddy Ball Special Needs Athletic League, where the theme of the game is the same, just different. There is no cost for athletes who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to participate in sports and sporting related activities.
PDI also operates a Thrift Store, which supports individuals with special needs and their families while providing low cost items to everyone in the Clarksville community. The store also partners with the State of Tennessee to make job opportunities available.
The PDA Thrift Store is located at 312 Madison Street and is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. They accept donations of gently used items like furniture, housewares, clothing, electronics, books, movies or toys
You can also make a difference in the community by giving or volunteering with PDI. Donations improve the lives of people the organization serves and help guarantee a better chance of making their dreams come true.
“In today’s society, we overlook a lot of folks, because we are so busy with our own lives. If you just take a second and look around, you’ll see a lot of terrific folks and what we do is try to bring out the best of everybody that didn’t have the chances that everybody else had,” said Albertia.
To learn more about the work of Progressive Directions Inc., call (931) 647-6333, email info@progressivedirections.com , visit www.progressivedirections.com, or stop by 1249 Paradise Hill Road in Clarksville.
