Press release from Genesee ARC:
Batavia, NY -- Family and friends of Genesee County ARC’s first PREP for Life Class gathered Thursday, Jan. 13 for a graduation ceremony at Genesee Community College’s Stuart Steiner Theatre.
Ten students walked across the stage to obtain their achievement certificate, marking completion of the program aimed at expanding their educational and vocational options.
PREP is an acronym which stands for People Realizing Education and Employment Potential. The program is a partnership between Genesee ARC and Genesee Community College and was established to improve student transition from high school to employment. It is a non-credit certificate program for individuals with developmental disabilities who desire a college experience.
The graduates are: Melissa Cook, Jesse Gray, James Grudzien, Dwight Hicks, Sherrie McKenzie, Andrew Moyles, Jason Northrup, Corinne Phelps, Christine Tinklepaugh and Janette Vick.
"PREP for Life grew out of our conversations with families who wanted their children to have access to more life experiences and skills," says Genesee ARC Executive Director Donna Saskowski.
Students learned skills in the areas of socialization, self-advocacy, time management, transportation, adaptive living skills, career exploration, job readiness and employment training. Another aspect of the curriculum included community volunteerism. Students used classroom space at the Genesee ARC Community Center, and at GCC they used the library, cafeteria, computer lab and meeting space.
According to Clifford Scutella, GCC director of Student Activities, it has been a pleasure interacting with the PREP for Life Students.
“They love life and being here brings so much joy to us and everyone at the college,” he said.
Since PREP for Life began, Mr. Scutella has always reached out to include the students in college activities. He was a speaker at Thursday’s graduation. PREP for Life Teacher and Genesee ARC Day Habilitation coordinator Kim Weber also addressed the students and guests.
“As a teacher, I believe that every day is about learning -- not just for the students, but for the teacher as well,” she said. “Each day the students have taught me something about myself, life and becoming a better person."
Graduates can now use the skills they have developed to help focus on their future. Opportunities include a new program option called AIM (Adults In Motion). It is a community-based enrichment program that gives individuals an opportunity to further explore their interests and goals.
It offers a variety of instruction and experiences designed to increase independence in various functional living skills such as safety, health and nutrition, hygiene, recreation and leisure, career exploration, and community access.
There is also the potential for training in prevocational/vocational areas through the Vocational Department at the Genesee ARC Work Center and the new Culinary Arts Program at the Genesee ARC Community Center.
Photo submitted by Sandy Konfederath.
