Ask Jenny Brown, co-founder and CEO of Dutton Farm in Rochester, Mich., about her organization’s growing relationship with Oakland County and she gushes with appreciation. 

She says her partnership with Oakland80, the County’s post-secondary attainment initiative, has been “instrumental” in Dutton Farm’s success over the past couple of years. 

The non-profit organization, founded in 2010, provides vocational training to 150 developmentally disabled adults, with the goal of helping them overcome employment barriers and securing meaningful, purposeful jobs that lead to greater independence.   

There is a focus on interpersonal skill development, stamina, problem solving, sorting and organizing – the type of skills needed to work in a variety of industries with staffing shortages.  This includes many opportunities in retail and hospitality. 

Oakand80 funding helps pay for this training, which has enabled the Dutton Farm staff to more than double the number of people it helps.  In addition, Oakland County’s connections with employers have led to more job opportunities for Dutton Farm clients.  Last year, they worked some 200 shifts at 60 local employers each week.   

“When it comes to inclusive employment opportunities, the developmentally disabled population has historically been overlooked,” Brown said.  “Through the help of Oakland County, more employers are thinking differently today about hiring from this talent pool.” 

The vocational training also has enabled Dutton Farm clients to use their new skills as volunteers.  Brown said they typically log 3,500 volunteer hours at various charitable organizations across Metro Detroit each year. 

“These opportunities, whether on a job site or volunteer activity, provide our clients with a life of purpose and inclusion,” she said. 

The challenges facing Dutton Farm clients have always been personal for Brown.  Her older sister, Becca, has down syndrome and, upon graduation from high school 15 years ago, she did not have any education or career options. 

Brown put her plans to go to law school aside to open Dutton Farm, with the hope that vocational training would open a new world to not only her sister, but many other people impacted by a significant disability.   

“Our program is designed to provide our clients with a sense of dignity and pride,” Brown said.  “They earn a competitive wage using their new skills that they learned here.”   

Today, her sister works two jobs, as a barista at a local coffee shop and at a Dutton Farm-sponsored company in Pontiac, where she helps package bath and beauty items.   

“Our work is so fulfilling because we’re truly transforming lives,” Brown said.   

Dutton Farm employs 65 people, the majority involved in direct care and training activities.  It operates training facilities in Rochester, Pontiac and Sterling Heights.  In addition to the funding provided to eligible clients through Oakland80, other revenue is generated through health insurance payments, grants and fundraising activities.  

“Partners like Dutton Farm are essential in reaching our Oakland80 goal,” said Oakland80 Administrator, Rana Al-Igoe. “Jenny Brown and the work she does with Dutton Farm allow us to spread the true message and true importance of a post-secondary education goal; to increase inclusivity and increase access to education for all.”

Like mother, like daughter for Rochester Hills resident Shakira Greene, a retired Wayne County sheriff deputy, and her child Malia White.  After retiring, Greene was told her teenage daughter suffered from progressive hearing loss and was deaf at 20 years-old. Greene enrolled in Oakland Community College, to study American Sign Language (ASL) and become a sign language interpreter. 

She was able to start her studies through a Michigan Reconnect Scholarship. While working towards her degree, she visited the Oakland County Michigan Works! office in Troy for additional support with books and supplies. Without this help, Greene said she would not have been able to afford her education.  Later, with a grasp of sign language, Greene changed her major to paralegal studies, with hopes of combining her knowledge of law enforcement and ASL. She plans to graduate from OCC this fall and obtain a job as a paralegal, earning $60,000 annually.

“I use sign language a lot, especially in crowds with my daughter, where she currently has the most challenge hearing and it could be lifesaving if I need to warn her about danger,” Greene said.  “I switched majors because people that are deaf have legal issues, too, and need attorneys.  They need people who can communicate and advocate for them.”