The Pre-Vocational program offers an educationally based curriculum that is structured around training modules and learning sites developed in the community. Some of these modules include: Culinary Arts, Porter Maintenance, Animal Care, Clerical and basic Life Skills. Each area of training incorporates guest lecturers, field trips and hands on training to enhance development of skills.

LIFE SKILLS

Life Skills is a component of the program that connects the essentials of daily living with practical life experiences. Participants are eager to follow an innovative curriculum that uses various learning techniques to address social skills development, safety in the community, hygiene and grooming, cooking and self-exploration. We take pride in our interactive projects that expose participants to cultural diversity by giving opportunities to research countries from all over the world and integrating literature and the arts authentically through culinary dishes, customs and reading materials.

PORTER MAINTENANCE

Porter Maintenance provides “hands-on” training to teach our participants proper techniques for cleaning which includes safety measure and guidelines complying with national standards for OSHA. Guest speakers and certified staff administer trainings that ensure these regulations are met. Our interactive approach to teaching is comprised of an adaptive curriculum that engages all participants enabling us to address a broad spectrum of abilities.

CULINARY ARTS

Culinary Arts is a training program that is sure to satisfy everyone’s palate. Participants create menus, shopping lists and venture out into the community to get hands on experience through volunteer work at our local soup kitchens. Gourmet dishes are made in a restaurant style approach to dining. We take pride in teaching our participants the proper etiquette for dining, safety guidelines in the kitchen, precautions to take while cooking, the importance of nutrition and basic math skills to perform proper measurements for cooking and baking. The curriculum created for this program is extensive and adapted for the beginning cook and gradually incorporates materials to raise the level of each individual participating.

ANIMAL CARE

Animal Care is an interactive training program that offers participants the opportunity to care for and learn about a variety of animals which include: guinea pigs, turtles, rabbits, snakes and chinchillas. This program is guided by a staff member and combines community based sites in various locations for participants to practice their new skills. We currently provide Animal Therapy to senior citizens and internships in local nature centers to gain hands on experience. Animal Care is widely accepted by the community and participants alike. It has afforded opportunities for supported employment in the community and professional growth for the individuals in the program.

CLERICAL

Clerical is an advanced training area that provides real business opportunites to our participants. Incorporating business strategies, marketing, sales, research and ingenuity this program provides services to the agency and local businesses. We have internships in the community that focus on filing, sorting and the distribution of mail. Our goal is to teach individuals basic computer knowledge and expand their skills on an individual basis by involving them with projects involving Microsoft Word, Print Shop and Media. These activities help teach and grow work place etiquette and business skills.