Written by Andrea Johnson, Graduate Student Intern
Before students in the Grand Forks Public Schools’ Adult Transition Program went back to school this fall, they spent the summer learning about the world of work at The Arc Thrift Store.
Alex and Casey, who chose to remain anonymous and use pseudonyms, worked Monday through Thursday. The experience allowed them to learn about being employed and to try out different jobs and job tasks, helping them find out what they like and do not like.
When asked about the students’ experience at The Arc Thrift Store this summer, job coach Brenna shared some of their job duties: “They’ve cleaned (the thrift store and offices). They’ve sorted paperwork (for the office).”
“This seems like a good thing to me,” said Casey, who said they would also like to work at other jobs in the community.
Alex has discovered that they like other tasks more than organizing papers. Alex said they would like to work at a movie theater in the future. “Students in the program have done cleaning work at theaters,” said Brenna.
“They’re very creative,” said Brenna, “so they seem to enjoy tasks that allow them to use those talents.” They embraced their creativity by designing and installing the “Back-to-School” window display at the thrift store, complete with colorful paper airplanes.
Six students participated in the Adult Transition Program this summer, and there will be more in class this fall. The school district pays students a stipend for their work, and the program is intended to help students with disabilities transition to adulthood. Students with disabilities are guaranteed a free and appropriate education until they are 21.
Brenna said other students in the program gained job site experience this summer, working at a laundromat and other job sites. Alex said their sibling is also participating in the transition program.
Students in the transition program in the Grand Forks Public Schools also practice other skills, such as shopping for food, preparing meals, managing a household, and navigating the community. For many, this includes learning to use the city bus. The school district has a model apartment set up for the use of the transition program students.
Brenna, who has worked as a job coach for the past seven years, said one of the most rewarding parts of the job is seeing the success of past students. They have seen a former student at work at a local grocery store when they shop for groceries. Another student was hired to work at The Arc Thrift Store. For some students, these jobs turn into lifelong, satisfying work.
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