The Prospector Theater: Three Years Of Sparkles & Meaningful Employment For Adults With Disabilities

 

Three is a charm for The Prospector Theater

Valerie Jensen is the brains and visionary behind a nonprofit movie theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut, that opened its door three years ago this month.

While the Theater has earned notoriety around the globe with visits from The Yankees, World News Tonight, Ian Ziering (to name a few), and media attention from The New York Times and Huffington Post, and Cosmopolitan (to name a few) it's what happens behind closed doors, 365 days a year, that is most admirable about The Prospector Theater.

More than a first-run theater, The Prospector Theater employees talented, worthy adults with disabilities. Did you know? in the U.S. alone, 80% of people with disabilities are underemployed or unemployed.

Without the Prospector, most of the employees, aka “Prospects”, would live life without ever receiving a paycheck for a job well-done.

In this, year three of the Theater’s operation, Val Jensen employees 105 of Prospects, 70% of whom identify with a disability.

Most admirable, Val and her team not only employ Prospects, but work with them, train them, and find out what makes them shine, only then can Prospects sparkle.

And, what happens when Prospect sparkle? The whole world sparkles back.

Just walk into the Theater on Prospect Street and you’ll see what I mean.

The Prospector is a feeling and an experience rolled into one.

There are so many facets of the Theater that are metaphors of life.

  • The penny ceiling in the in the cafe pays homage to the bank that was once there and reminds visitors that while pennies are often overlooked, they are beautiful and valuable.

  • The mesmerizing chandelier, a compilation of often overlooked beauty in forgotten items.

  • The large and colorful mural on the Theater's second floor, a mosaic comprised of medals earned in special Olympic games.

Val has created a model and mission in The Prospector, one that can be scaled and shared throughout the world, giving hope to millions of Americans with disabilities who yearn for the opportunity to bring their sparkle and productivity to the workforce.

Find out how you can support The Prospector Theater HERE.

 

Go to the movies HERE.

Congratulations on your three year anniversary to Val and her team at The Prospector Theater! We're proud to call you partners and friends! 

Keep sparkling.

 

 

 

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Submitted by New Fairfield, CT

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