Choices for People held its ribbon-cutting 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, hosted by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Choices for People provides services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities in 24 counties in mid-Missouri. Through its residential, day, community, and employment services, Choices for People served more than 300 individuals in 2024.
Now, with its new location in Salem, it can assist even more. The Salem location will be open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering day services.
Choices for People’s mission is to work with adults with disabilities to help them live as independently as possible. Its programs include employment services which place clients into jobs matching their abilities, residential services placing clients into independent living situations with 24-hour support and community-living services which allow clients to stay in their current living situations with family or caregivers and connect them to volunteer opportunities. Choices for People also operates adult day program facilities in Rolla and St. Robert allowing each person’s caregivers to enjoy respite and stay involved in the community.
Choices for People can also provide transportation to and from the building around the Salem location, with Executive Director Missy Perez stating staff are hoping the closer location will attract patrons from surrounding counties. Previously, patrons had been meeting at Sinclair in the morning and then commuted to the Rolla location—Perez shared patrons were excited to not have to go on the long car ride anymore and be much closer to home.
