Fourteen students who have completed the After 22 Occupational, Life and Academic Skills or After 22/OLAS program at Richard J. Daley College were feted this summer by officials from the City Colleges of Chicago and the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center.
“We were very excited to celebrate our outstanding students who all successfully completed the After 22/OLAS Program,” said Dr. Isaac Zúñiga, president of Daley College. “This incredible program offers academic instruction and educational support to young adults with cognitive disabilities, helping them experience the college journey as they work toward meaningful careers. It aligns with Daley College’s mission to empower our diverse community by providing innovative education and programming in a supportive and inclusive environment.”
“The After 22 Program demonstrates what is possible when education, community partners, and employers work together to create meaningful pathways for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At Anixter Center, we believe every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a future defined by purpose, opportunity, and belonging,” said Bridget Glavaz.
Watch the graduates on Vimeo as they share why they joined the After 22 program and discuss its impact.
The After 22 Project is recognized as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) that helps transition participants into meaningful postsecondary activities by providing flexible learning opportunities, leadership, and job skills training. In addition, students can access and participate in special recreation opportunities, internships, and job placement opportunities.
The After 22/OLAS program is designed to be an innovative inclusive pathway to engage students who otherwise will have to wait an average of seven years to access these services after they reach age 22. The program maps out a plan for participants based on interest and skill level.
“I joined After 22 to get better experience and to help me look for jobs,” said Tommy Cameron, an After 22 student completer. “My favorite part of the class is asking for help if I get stuck on anything. My next step is to go to a four-year college.”stuck on anything. My next step is to go to a four-year college.”
The program serves students through academic and job skill development courses 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, ensuring students have integrated, competitive job opportunities. In conjunction, employers receive the support they need to ensure success and retention for these employees.
About City Colleges of Chicago
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: Kennedy-King College’s Dawson Technical Institute, Olive-Harvey South Chicago Campus, Daley’s Arturo Velasquez Institute, Wright College Humboldt Park Campus, and the Malcolm X College West Campus, along with the Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute. For more information about City Colleges of Chicago or to register, call (773) COLLEGE, visit www.ccc.edu, or find us on Facebook (City Colleges of Chicago) or Instagram (citycollegeschicago).
About Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center
The Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center is a not-for-profit, community-based organization that serves people throughout the Chicago area. "At Anixter Center we believe Inclusion means all – and disability is not the exception," Anixter oficials say. "It is a simple philosophy rooted in social change that drives human, community, and business results. Our 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 our vision to ensure we have inclusive communities where all people thrive." For more information about Anixter Center, visit anixter.org or on Facebook (Anixter Center) or Instagram (AnixterCenter).
Photo credits: J. Augustyn | Video produced by M. Wedlake, J. Garcia and C. Rodriguez
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