MPW.70 / 2018 LaDonna Leads the Way by Joyce McMurtrey
Photographer
Joyce McMurtrey Mountain Grove, Mo.

Team Gilka

Story Summary

LaDonna Kennedy, 58, provides an encouraging environment for people with special needs to reach their potential. She moved to Mountain Grove in 2012, after working as a cabinetmaker and a certified nursing assistant. “I saw an advertisement for a shop manager at Unique Services, a sheltered workshop,” recalls LaDonna. “I applied, was hired and six years later I’m still living my dream.”

Unique Services employs people with special needs, giving them a job and more importantly, a purpose.

With boundless energy and a ready smile LaDonna inspires her community to support Unique Services. “God blessed me with a loving heart and an accepting spirit for all people,” said LaDonna. “Unique Services gave me a purpose. I come to work to give and receive love.”