Special Day For Special Needs Students In Gloucester County

SEWELL, NJ. (CBS) -- Gloucester County cut the ribbon on a new facility at the county college in Sewell on Friday, aimed at helping young people with special needs move from high school to college and the working world.

"Big, tough guy crying."

This was not your normal photo-op for State Senate President and Gloucester County Freeholder Director Steve Sweeney.

"This has been a dream of mine for 15 years to make sure that our disabled students will have an opportunity to go to college and fulfill their life's misson, whatever that might be."

The Adult Center for Transition at Gloucester County College will aid some 100 special needs students aged 16 to 24 with an array of educational, social and career enhancement programs. One of those getting that help is Mauri Budd of West Deptford.

"This is really going to help us and other young adults to help us get ready for the job world and our outer life after we get out of college."

Over $130,000 in seed money got this project started, the first of its kind in the state to actually be housed on a college campus.

Reported by: David Madden, KYW Newsradio.

Photo by David Madden