Sozo Trading Co., located in the Avondale community in Birmingham, has been honored with the 2022 Career Partner Award presented by the Horizons School in Birmingham. The award will be presented during the school’s 27th Commencement Ceremonyat 10 a.m. on Friday August 12, 2022 in the historic sanctuary of South Highland Presbyterian Church.
"Each year, Horizons School faculty and staff present a Career Partner Award to an agency, organization or business that encourages career development of individuals with disabilities, supports student trainees to learn vocational skills as they prepare for paid employment and maintains a positive relationship with students, families, staff, and faculty," said Dr. Brian Geiger, Executive Director of Horizons School.
"For 30 years, the Horizons School has provided a community-based educational program promoting successful transition to independent living for young adults with learning disabilities, autism spectrum and developmental disorders," Geiger said.
Sozo Trading Co. is a ministry of Birmingham-based Sozo Children which serves the needs of vulnerable children in Uganda, Africa. Profits from the upscale thrift store support the work of the ministry in Uganda but also conducts outreach programs in the Birmingham community with job training programs, textile recycling and support of local families in need.
“Supporting people with disabilities is at the heart of what we do,” said Suzanne Owens, CEO of Sozo Children. “Many of the children who come into our care in Africa have been rejected by their families and communities because of disabilities. Being able to give back in this way in Birmingham is important to us and we are honored to work with Horizons School and their students.”
During the ceremony, The Sozo Children’s Choir will perform an original song, “Amazing,” to honor the graduates. The choir is on a six-month tour of the United States from Uganda performing in churches, concert halls and schools. The choir recently performed in Birmingham at the 2022 World Games.
For more information on the Horizons School, visit https://horizonsschool.org. To learn more about Sozo Children or the choir, visit www.sozochildren.org and www.sozotrading.org.
