Ed Center Students Complete “Discovering You” Workshops, Prepare Vision Boards
Students in the Education Center’s Transition Classes recently completed the three-month, “Discovering You” workshop exploring decision-making, future planning, and the important life plan meetings when the time comes for them to receive adult services.
Starting in November, the six-part series was made possible by a grant from the NYS Department of Education and developed by AHRC Nassau Personal Outcomes Department Coordinator Susan Gil Orange and Samantha Rondonis.
As the series progressed students learned the importance of self-advocacy and touched on everything from likes and dislikes to relationships and lifestyle goals like traveling and exploring different hobbies.
During her workshop, student Abigail Gerber, 18, was excited to share her plans. “I want to go to college, move out on my own, and become a country singer.”
According to Denise Gaughan, Director, “The overall goal is to work with students who are close to transitioning into adult services on self-advocacy and discovery, personal exploration, and help them figure out what they want from their adult services as they begin to create those person-centered plans. It’s a nice introduction and prepares our students and their families for the transition into adult services.”
Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) Regional Organizer Marisol Getchius and Regional Coordinator Michelle Flood Sayville participated in the final “Discovering You” workshops and helped students create and present vision boards showcasing what they’d like to experience.
“I did a vision board a long time ago and it gave me a visual of where I wanted to go. I want students to realize they have options, and they don’t have to stick with the status quo and can think out of the box. I want to help them break that box,” Marisol said.
During the final installment of “Discovering You” in January, students presented their vision boards, sharing their plans for a bright future, and received a certificate for completing the program.