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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Hopedale students, Waynesha Gibson (left) and Felicity Beneby (right) scanning inventory at the Automotive & Industrial Distributors Ltd. (AID) store, Wulff Road location.
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Nassau, Bahamas -
On any given day that you walk the aisles at the Automotive & Industrial Distributors Ltd. (AID) store you may see two young ladies carefully pricing inventory. As you browse the aisles of Tops Lumber & Plumbing Supplies you may pass a young man stocking the shelves, diligently placing each item in place. Several days a week, at St. Joseph’s Adult Day Care Centre a young man can be observed washing dishes and helping to serve meals. At the same site a young lady reads to a blind 86-year- old; the bond between them in that moment is evident and poignant. These scenes encapsulate young persons working, making their contributions to the community and learning important life skills in preparation for their transition from school to work. These are students of the Hopedale Centre participating in the institution’s transition program.
Nathan Taylor preparing to stock shelves as part of his job training at Tops Lumber & Plumbing Supplies.
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For more than two and a half (2 ½) decades the Hopedale Centre has been a constant support for, and champion of, young persons with special needs. Hopedale's motto “Learn, live, labour, leisure” is the foundation of the school's curriculum.
The transition from school to work is a daunting journey. Approximately 7,000 high school students in The Bahamas enter post school life each year. Finding a job and figuring out what one wants to do after graduating is a challenge for most young persons. Doing so is even more difficult for students who face challenges, such as a disability.
Hopedale student Divinia Dean reads to a senior at St. Joseph’s Adult Day Care Centre during her workplace internship.
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Preparing students for the workforce is an important function of the Hopedale Centre and involves a series of learning steps and processes. In 1990 the school implemented the Community-Based Instruction (CBI) program. CBI is a critical component of the school’s program for its students, primarily because, as adults, the community is where they will need to use the skills acquired during their school years. Students engage in real life experiences within the community as part of their preparation for future vocational and adult living activities. They also learn general hygiene, daily domestic chores and money management.
The implementation of Hopedale’s work transition program was a natural complement to the school’s curriculum–helping the institution achieve its mission to prepare every student for life after school. Work is a central part of adult life. Having a job provides a sense of accomplishment and pride and is a means through which persons provide basic needs for themselves and their loved ones.
Joshua Rolle helps prepare food for seniors at St. Joseph’s Adult Day Care Centre.
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The core elements of workforce preparation for Hopedale students are the same as their non-special needs peers, but they require more extensive and individualized training. Students at Hopedale are paired with a job coach at the school. The role of the job coach is to ensure the students carry out their duties and perform their job to the best of their ability. Training begins in the classroom where the job coach breaks down the tasks the student must execute into simple steps. One method used is the job coach creates a photo log of himself performing the tasks step by step; he shares these photographs with the student. The next stage in the process is the shadowing. Shadowing involves the job coach working with the student on the job site to undertake the required job tasks. The next step is the transitioning process which is designed to focus on the student as an individual and involve them in the decision-making process; as with any young adult the student has the final say and must be comfortable with the work. Throughout the process the involvement of the job coach wanes and he gives less input while monitoring the student's progress. When the job coach has determined that the student can satisfactorily perform the job, the student begins work life as an independent, confident employee.
Currently Hopedale Centre students are sited at four companies and organizations in New Providence: AID, Cycles Unlimited, St. Joseph’s Adult Day Care Centre and Tops Lumber & Plumbing Supplies. Teachers at Hopedale attest that the program has been a great success and that the students involved have shown tremendous growth. Dwayne Simms, Job Coach explains: - “Students in the transition program have [developed] a greater sense of responsibility, built friendships, are more empathetic towards others and have improved their communication skills. The students are now aware that they have a contribution to make and that they are productive members of our society.”
Conversely, the Hopedale Transition Program gives the participating companies and employees the opportunity to improve their diversity consciousness and enhances their ability to interact with customers and fellow employees from different perspectives. Sister Cecilia Albury O.S.B., Director, St. Joseph’s Adult Day Care Centre explains: - “It was a blessing in disguise when we agreed to be a part of the Hopedale Transition Program. The students have been excellent; this has been a good thing for all persons involved.” Jason Watson, President & Managing Director, AID attests, “The students are very dedicated and perform their tasks diligently,this speaks to the level of training they are receiving at the Hopedale Centre. AID is proud to partner with Hopedale Centre through this initiative and we encourage other companies to support this programme, as it will prove beneficial in the long term not only to the individuals themselves, but to the community as a whole.”
Rumi, a 13th century mystic poet, said “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” As we seek to build a better Bahamas we must ensure that all young persons regardless of socio-economic status, race or ability are given the opportunity to play their part in the development of our country. Every young person should be encouraged and given the support necessary for him or her to reach their highest potential as an individual and as a member of society. When asked what was the one thing she wanted the public to know about the Hopedale Transition Program Remonia Russell, Transition Instructor, Hopedale Centre responded immediately: - “Don’t close the doors in our student’s faces, everyone deserves a chance. You never know what is in a fruit until you bite into it. If we stopped where we met these students they would not have advanced. Every individual has a contribution to make.”
Arlene Davis, Hopedale Centre Founder/Director, expressed her gratitude to the companies and organizations participating in the Hopedale Transition Program. “For us over the years there has been no greater need than that of preparing our students for the transition to the working world and adult life. The formation of community partnerships has allowed for the training of our students in real work environments. It has allowed Hopedale to provide employability-skills training and workplace internships for students with significant disabilities (IDD)”, she said. Davis invites companies interested in participating in the Hopedale Centre Transition Program or contributing to the Hopedale Centre to contact the school at (242) 393-8924 or email hopedale@batelnet.bs .
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