Gala Raises $50,000 for New Skills Center Opening This Summer

Boone Center, Inc. (BCI), a nonprofit, for-purpose contract packaging firm in St. Peters that provides employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, raised $50,000 at its 11th annual Behind the Mask gala on Saturday, February 3. The funds will benefit the organization’s new Skills Center, a first-of-its-kind vocational training facility specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Just like everyone else, people with disabilities need opportunities for training and first jobs, but right now those opportunities are limited,” said Katie Jones, BCI’s Director of Programs. “The Skills Center will help meet the needs of our community, our schools and the growing demand for a skilled workforce.”

“People with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to productive business organizations,” said Carolyn Balfany, a member of BCI’s Board of Directors. “We see it every day. The Skills Center will connect these very able people with jobs that companies need to fill.”

BCI is seeking forward-thinking businesses to partner with for the Skills Center. BCI will work with these businesses to develop job training in a fully replicated work setting. Once coursework is completed, the businesses will have a new, reliable, ready and very able workforce waiting.

“Unemployment in our area is at an all-time low, and many companies cannot fill their openings,” said BCI CEO, Tony Spielberg. “But we know there are people out there who are living with developmental disabilities who want jobs and do excellent work! There just isn’t a good system to connect the two.”

The Skills Center is set to open this summer at 2026 Trade Center Drive in St. Peters (63376), just down from BCI’s main facility.

For more information on the new Skills Center, visit www.skillscenterSTL.com or call Katie Jones, Director of Programs, at 636-875-5219.