Program connects young adults with developmental disabilities who are no longer eligible for special education transition services
City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College and the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center came together this month to celebrate 10 students who have completed the After 22 Occupational, Life and Academic Skills or After 22/OLAS program.
City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College and the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center came together this month to celebrate 10 students who have completed the After 22 Occupational, Life and Academic Skills or After 22/OLAS program.
“I’m excited to celebrate our outstanding students who have successfully completed the After 22/OLAS Program,” said Interim President Peggy Korellis, Richard J. Daley College. “This program offers academic instruction and educational support to young adults with intellectual disabilities, helping them experience a full college journey as they work toward meaningful careers. It perfectly aligns with Daley College’s mission to empower our diverse community by providing innovative education and programming in a supportive and inclusive environment.”
The celebration and completion ceremony for the students, families and friends was held in the Beattie Theatre on at Daley College. Other invited guests included elected officials and leadership from the Anixter Center, Daley College and City Colleges of Chicago.
“Richard J. Daley College and City Colleges of Chicago are committed to equipping our students with the tools they need to lead strong, independent lives, and I want to congratulate the After 22 graduates,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. “I’m also deeply grateful for the invaluable support from the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center. They recognized a crucial gap in services, and together, we bridged it, ensuring our students have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”
The After 22 Project is recognized as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) designed to help transition participants into meaningful post-secondary activities by providing flexible learning opportunities, leadership and job skills training. In addition, students are able to gain access to and participate in special recreation opportunities, internships and job placement opportunities.
The After 22/OLAS program is a pathway to engage students who otherwise will have to wait an average of seven years to have access to these services after they reach age 22. The program maps out a plan for participants based on interest and skill level.
The program serves students through academic and job skill development courses at Daley College. Daley College and Anixter Center team members collaborate to implement customized educational plans to include competency-based, student-centered curricula to introduce and reinforce workplace soft skills, such as communication strategies, self-advocacy skills, professionalism and navigating institutions.
Additionally, students practice occupational skills through internships both on campus and throughout the city, such as assistance in various college departments, placements in service sector establishment and placements in innovative technological enterprises.
The Anixter Center matches participants to jobs or internships at a community employer partner, striving to ensure students have integrated, competitive job opportunities. In conjunction, employers receive the support they need to ensure success and retention for these employees.
.jpg) |
Pictured are proud grads of the After 22/OLAS program: Marilynn Antunez, Payton Gray, Paxton Gray, Karla Perez, Emmanuel Hernandez, Jessica Mena, Michael Rudd, Zaid Abrego, Traron Hill and Ysrael Rubalcava.
City Colleges of Chicago prepares more than 73,000 students annually with a quality, affordable education leading to transfer, careers, and a path to upward mobility. City Colleges encompasses seven colleges: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Wilbur Wright College and Harold Washington College, five satellite sites: Dawson Technical Institute, South Chicago Learning Center, Arturo Velasquez Institute, Wright-Humboldt Park, and the West Side Learning Center, along with the Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute.
For more information about City Colleges of Chicago, or to register, call (773) COLLEGE, visit ccc.edu or find CCC on Facebook (City Colleges of Chicago), X (@ChiCityColleges), or Instagram (citycollegeschicago).
About Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center
Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center (Anixter Center) is an innovative not-for-profit, community-based organization that serves people throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Anixter Center officials say they believe Inclusion means all – and disability is not the exception. It is a simple philosophy rooted in social change that drives human, community and business results.
Their mission is to provide an array of services and supports for people with disabilities and related challenges to live, learn, work and play in the community. Community facing, focused on universal practices that benefit everyone, and a core belief in partnerships drive their vision to ensure they have inclusive communities where all people thrive. For more information about Anixter Center, visit anixter.org or on Facebook (Anixter Center) or Instagram (@AnixterCenter).
# # #
# # #
No comments:
Post a Comment