Young adults learn job and life skills at The Birches
There are some new and youthful faces at The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills these days, thanks to The Birches' partnership with the Hinsdale District 86 Adult Opportunities Transitions Program.
Through the Adult Opportunities Transitions Program, young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 with documented disabilities are given the resources and experience they need to succeed as independent adults. Young adults in the program rotate through a series of classes that focus on life skills like money management, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and laundry. The primary focus of the program, however, is preparing participants for future employment.
"Young adults come to our transitions program to better prepare for success in their adult life. We focus on three main areas-- independent living, vocational education, and community integration and access. But the majority of our program is getting them ready for whatever vocational skills they should have once they're no longer with school services," said District 86 Vocational Transition Coordinator Taryn Chrapkowski.
The Birches is currently a work-site for four young adults who perform a variety of tasks in the Dining Services and Maintenance Departments. Isaac Mason, who started the program at the beginning of this year, currently works at both Walgreen's and The Birches.
At The Birches, Mason works in the kitchen and helps with maintenance tasks. According to Mason, he particularly enjoys working in the Maintenance Department where he has learned painting techniques and other practical maintenance knowledge. Mason thinks this hands-on job training will help him take the steps he needs to move forward as an independent adult.
"The program will probably help me get started- to start at COD and to find something I want to do," said Mason.
Ariel Townsend works at Walgreen's and in The Birches' Dining Services department where she prepares the tables for Birches' residents and sometimes serves them coffee.
According to Townsend, The Birches is her favorite job site in the program because she is able to do what she loves: help people.
"The Birches is the best job because it's not boring, and I like helping people. Also, because I get to do things that I've never done before, and I've always wanted to help seniors," said Townsend.
Townsend believes the job experience she gains through the program will help her achieve her future goals, as well as teach her important life skills that will help her transition into adulthood.
"I learned how to catch the Metra train while I was here, and the Pace bus-I never in my life caught the Pace bus," said Townsend.
Even though she enjoys working with the residents at The Birches, Townsend says her ultimate goal is to become a teacher, and she believes her participation in the Adult Opportunities Transitions Program is bringing her one step closer to achieving this goal.
"I think the program will help with my future goals because they put us in something that we're interested in, something that's going to help us when we leave the program," said Townsend.
District 86 Job Coach Kathy Lenzo accompanies program participants to their job sites and says she has seen noticeable differences in the confidence and capabilities of the young adults she coaches.
"The main goal is for the student to learn to be independent and find success on the job," said Lenzo. "This is probably the first opportunity some of them have had in a job, and I have absolutely noticed a difference."
According to Birches' Activities Director Katie Klitchman, The Birches is happy to help these young adults gain important job experience and life skills, and appreciates their helpful contribution to the Birches community each week.
"We're so glad we can help these young adults. It's great having them around and knowing we are helping them get job experience. It's really a wonderful program and we are happy to participate," said Klitchman.
For more information on the District 86 Transitions Program, contact Tammy Prentiss, Assistant Superintendent for Special Services at tprentiss@hinsdale86.org.
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents' physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.