Community Steps up to Help Students Transition Into Workforce

As high school students all around the Farmington Valley are decorating their mortarboards in anticipation of graduation, there is an entire population of their peers who are not yet ready to enter the workforce or become independent adults. Fortunately, there are programs like Simsbury High School’s Supported Training & Employment Program (STEP), which connects with community partners small and large—from the Simsbury Public Library and Flamig Farm to Walgreen’s and Big Y—who are willing to offer internships to students ages 17-21 who receive special services and help them find their path to independence.

On Thursday, May 18th, an Appreciation Reception was held at SHS to acknowledge the generous support and encouragement of the community partnerships with the businesses and employers in the Farmington Valley area. Approximately 50 staff, students, and community partners attended. The juniors and seniors in STEP wore blue and gold shirts donate by the SHS Student-Parent-Teacher Council (SPTC).

Transition Coordinator Bridget Annulli, who coordinates STEP along with Ellen Grew, commented on the benefits of the interns wearing the shirts on the job. Said Annulli, “When people get in line at the grocery store and see a bagger wearing the shirt, they will know this is a disability-friendly community.”

In the classroom, STEP teaches practical skills like doing laundry, hygiene, and nutrition, but there are many social or interpersonal skills that are just as important for young people to learn—developing stamina, following directions, staying focused, taking initiative—all of which jobs like stocking shelves, bagging groceries, delivering mail, or organizing a stockroom can impart.

Said Annulli, “In the old days, you might have had a class that spent time on these skills in the classroom. The reality is the kids really learn these skills out in the community. It’s not about teaching them to bag groceries or stock shelves. They are learning stamina and independence. From that comes self-confidence.”

Representatives from Canton’s Mandell JCC Valley Sports and Community Center, in its first year of involvement with the STEP program, are excited to continue in the future. Sports Director Taylor Losey and Program Director Brenna Evans expressed amazement at the growth of their intern over the course of her job experience, which involves sports at a preschool level. Said Evans, “Emma has gotten much more confident and comfortable with interacting with parents and talking with the children.”

Fitzgerald’s Foods is a long-time partner of STEP. Customer Service Manager Sarah Laviana and Assistance Customer Service Manager Jeff Campbell attended the Appreciation Reception and remarked on their interns’ improvements with customer interaction and increases in confidence. In fact, at the conclusion of one student’s internship recently, Fitzgerald’s ended up hiring him for a permanent position.

Whether an intern is assigned to bagging, straightening shelves, running the register, or working in the bakery, with the input of the job coach, “we figure out the best places and the best methods for the student,” said Laviana.

Added Campbell, “It’s really cool to see them change.”

Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Services Sue Homrok-Lemke attended the Appreciation Reception and was moved when students in the STEP program, including students with autism and one student who relies on an assistive technology device to communicate, gave slide presentations to acknowledge the community partners. Said Lemke, “Look at them now. I remember when we were just working on making eye contact.”

This year’s community partners were: Antonio’s Restaurant, Avon Health Center, Big Y, Community Farm, Farmington Valley YMCA, Fitzgerald’s, Flamig Farm, Gifts of Love, Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness, JCC Sports and Community Center, Little City Pizza , Simsbury Farms, Simsbury High School Athletic Department, Simsbury High School Library Media Center, Simsbury Public Library, Simsbury Town Hall, Squadron Line School, Staples, TJMaxx, Village Café, and Walgreens.

For information on forming a partnership with the Simsbury High School STEP Program, please contact Bridget Annulli or Ellen Grew, Transition Coordinators, Simsbury High School, (860) 658-0451, ext 301.

Photo: Job coaches and staff with some of the students involved in Simsbury High School’s Supported Training & Employment Program (STEP).