Natick Schools Thanks Employers Who Help Students

NATICK, MA — The Achieve and Access programs from Natick Public Schools hosted a “Thank You Breakfast” last week for all of their employers and volunteer sites. The purpose in hosting this breakfast was to highlight the strong relationships being built between the Achieve and Access programs and the businesses in the community, as well as to thank our employers for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. The students were excited to show their appreciation and budgeted, shopped for and cooked all the breakfast items themselves.

The Achieve Program is a post-secondary transition program for individuals with disabilities who have completed their four years in high school and require additional instruction in the areas of vocational skills, community access, and independent living skills. The Access Program at Natick High School is a high school transition program for individuals with disabilities who are participating in academic, vocational and life skills instruction in a substantially separate classroom at NHS.

During the event, students were able to show their appreciation by awarding a certificate of excellence to each of the companies in attendance. These employers have hired these students for paid positions and created an environment in their workplaces where students can be independent and successful. These employers have embraced creating jobs that highlight the students’ abilities and strengths. Currently, 13 businesses have offered students paid positions.

An example of how these relationships build success, is with Alex. Alex spent his junior year of high school learning a variety of skills he would need in the workplace through the Natick High School student-run coffee shop, The Red Hawk Café. He learned skills such as inventory, stocking and customer service. After Alex acquired a volunteer position at Ziti’s Italian Trattoria, it was clear that he had the motivation and skills needed to be a valuable part of the business. Ziti’s Italian Trattoria quickly offered him a paid position, and he has worked there independently once a week ever since. This September, as a senior, Alex applied for a position at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The manager spoke with Alex about his strengths and together they talked about how Alex’s abilities can contribute to the store’s needs. The manager saw Alex’s potential right away and hired him on the spot. Administration assistant, Christine Prince, continues to work with Alex daily on finding new tasks that he enjoys and can complete independently.

The event also recognized businesses that have worked with the program to create volunteer positions so that students can work on pre-vocational skills. A great example of this is the long-standing relationship with the Natick Service Council. Kelsey Hampton, the Volunteer Coordinator, has gone above and beyond to create functional jobs for students that also benefit the Service Council, such as stocking, sorting, and folding food and clothing items.

These relationships provide more than opportunities to build employability skills. More importantly, they allow each student to live a life with integrity while building an inclusive community. If you want to see the students in action you can follow them on twitter at @NPSjobcoach.

Thank you to our employers who have offered our students paid employment, The Common Café, Dicks Sporting Goods, Home sense, Ziti's Italian Trattoria, Natick After School Activities Program (ASAP), Chick-fil-a, Bed Bath and Beyond, Metrowest YMCA, Mabardy's Gulf, Wegman’s, Natick Outdoor Store, Sierra Trading Post and, Whitney Place. As well as the companies who have offered vocational training, Natick Service Council, A Place to Turn, The Massachusetts Horticultural Society Gardens at Elm Bank, Tilly & Salvy’s, Natick Senior Center, Natick Farmers Market, Fisk Memorial United Methodist Church, J&M’s Diner, The Gift of Happiness, and We Dig Your Dog.

This post was contributed by Natick High School Vocational Coach Julie O'Leary.