Phase I: The Work Mentor Program

Phase I: The Work Mentor Program

     Involves transition aged students in school-based and off-campus community based non-paid work experiences.  The program designs experiences that will provide job related training and peer interaction skills. These experiences include in-school and/or off-campus community based activities that are supervised by MAC staff that provides feedback and evaluation of student’s job performance.  Students’ responsibilities include being punctual, cooperative, trustworthy and dependable.  Students are instructed to refine these qualities leading to the development of transferable work skills.  Each participant assumes responsibility, gains self-esteem and acquires an understanding of the responsibilities of being an employee.

    In school, work mentor program includes a wide range of experiences.  The opportunities for work include: Teacher assistance, clerical work, cafeteria maintenance, gym and pool work, landscaping, and general building maintenance.  We also have an  in-school sheltered workshop in which students run our school-wide recycling program.  Students also do general building maintenance, deliveries throughout the school, clerical tasks and learn skills such as sorting, collating, and various assembly tasks.  Students also skills for life including:  basic money management, laundry, and grocery tasks such as shopping and stocking shelves.  Students’ responsibilities include being punctual, cooperative, trustworthy and dependable.  Students are instructed to refine these qualities leading to the development of transferable work skills.

   Off-campus community based work experiences include:  Partnerships with the City of Pottsville, Schuylkill Conservation District, local non-profit organizations, nursing homes, and local businesses.  The off-campus community based work experiences are part of our Vocational Exploration Assessment and Training Program.  More information on this part of our program can be found on the Work Experience Transition page under the Maple Avenue Campus tab on our home page.

Both on and off-campus activities are supervised by I.U. staff that provides feedback and evaluation of student’s job performance.

The Work Mentor Program also assists students with resume preparation, completion of applications, interview preparation, CareerLink registrations, searching for and obtaining employment, and other employment related skills.