About our Mission

More than 3,300 of our Grant County neighbors have a disability.

We don't think this should stop them from finding fulfilling work or having fun.

Our DREAM is to build an employment complex and entertainment facility that will be a destination for tourists and residents. This will include an indoor mini golf course, a country store featuring farm fresh produce and locally-made items, an art studio, a snack bar and a community space. These businesses will supply jobs in the community with a focus on adults, 18 and up, who have various ability levels.

The good news is that we have already opened the first business! Kentucky Ice Box is a quaint ice cream and sweet shop with a roster of enthusiastic employees who are finding joy in their job while serving up scoops to the community. In 2024, thanks to a generous grant, we were able to buy a van to transport workers who are unable to drive to work.

DREAM Grant County will provide employment for our residents with special needs and tons of fun for visitors.

Who We Are

Mona Lazurus
Founder and Board Member, Equity and Inclusion

Mona Lazarus, a lifelong Grant County resident and Williamstown High School alumna, holds degrees in Psychology and Child Development from Berea College, as well as a Master’s and Rank I certification in Special Education from Eastern Kentucky University.

With over 40 years of experience teaching students with disabilities- 21 of those in Grant County Schools - Mona has long been committed to helping individuals thrive through every stage of development. Recognizing the lack of local job opportunities for people with disabilities, she founded DREAM Grant County, a nonprofit focused on creating meaningful employment.

In 2023, she and her daughter opened The Kentucky Y’all Icebox in downtown Williamstown, offering inclusive job opportunities and taking steps toward building a larger employment complex to serve the region. Mona’s passion continues to drive her vision for an inclusive and vibrant community.

Emily Shelton

Board Member

Emily Shelton is a seasoned writer, consultant, and businesswoman with a strong commitment to advocacy for individuals in need, particularly children and disabled young adults. With over four decades of experience, she has successfully managed her own consulting firm, Shelton & Associates, where she specializes in grant proposal preparation and consulting for nonprofit organizations.

Her background includes serving as a social service worker for Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, where she developed training curricula for foster parents.

An active community member, she has contributed to numerous organizations through grant writing and volunteer efforts, including serving as a court-appointed reviewer of foster care cases. Emily's educational background includes a BA in Education from Cincinnati Bible College and additional training in social work and grantsmanship.

Board Member
Co-owner, Kentucky Ice Box

Rachelle Lazarus Morse is a polyglot, motorcyclist, musician, spelunker, and small business owner with a deep passion for revitalizing Kentucky’s historic downtown areas. She earned her B.A. in Russian and Eastern European Studies from the University of Kentucky, following immersive language studies at Vladimir State University in Russia. She later studied Tajik/Farsi through Arizona State University’s Critical Languages Program, graduating at the top of her class.

Now a proud mother of three, Rachelle balances her adventurous spirit with the very real work of raising a family. When she’s not wrangling little ones, she’s busy contributing to the physical and cultural renewal of her hometown. Rachelle co-owns and operates an antique-themed ice cream parlor, The Kentucky Y’all Icebox which is part of the Dream Grant County project. She works alongside her mother to coordinate meaningful employment opportunities and community events that bring people together to celebrate local heritage.

Randala Shuck
Board Member

Randal Shuck brings over 45 years of leadership experience to the DREAM Grant County board. He managed restaurants in northern Illinois for 15 years, developing strong skills in operations, customer service, and staff supervision. For 30 years, he supervised a vending company, where he was responsible for hiring, training, managing employees, maintaining customer accounts, and ensuring financial accountability.

He also served as a Deacon at Hope Reform Church, overseeing Buildings and Grounds. Randal’s hands-on experience in management, finance, and facility oversight makes him well-equipped to support the decision-making responsibilities of the board.

We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.

Our Mission

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.

Our Vision