A letter from OPTIONS Program at Brehm Coordinator, Char F. Reed
The end of another great semester has arrived at the OPTIONS Program. And, a lot has been accomplished.
Within the Independent Living program, students sponsored a haunted room in the Haunted High School. This was a fund raiser for the Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Students (and staff) planned and implemented a haunted room; it was a lot of work, but also great fun for many.
Students also participated in an Etiquette Dinner on the Southern Illinois University Campus. This was attended by SIU students and presented by SIU staff. Students generally enjoyed it and one OPTIONS student was quoted in the college newspaper, speaking favorably about the event.
Students concluded their weekly potluck dinners with a special holiday potluck dinner that was attended by staff and friends. It was a great feast as well as a chance to relax and socialize. As we look to next semester, we are excited to have a graduate intern in Nutrition Counseling who will be working with students and staff in the Independent Living Program.
The Independent Living Program will also be partnering with Southern Illinois University to host and train two field work students. One is in the Therapeutic Recreation Program, and the other is in the Outdoor Recreation Program. We look forward to this partnership.
The end of the semester also finds 15 students completing 33 classes at John A. Logan College.
Cassidy Wilson, a student in the Extension Program at OPTIONS, completed her Office Assistant certificate at JALC. She is leaving us to return home to seek employment using her newly acquired skills and certificate.
Next semester, 21 OPTIONS students are registered for a record 52 classes at JALC!
Students participated in 17 internship experiences during the fall semester. Starting in January, 27 students will participate in internship opportunities at 30 different sites. The OPTIONS Program has added ten new internship sites to those we draw from, bringing the total to 50. Due to the increase in sites and internship participation, OPTIONS added the position of vocational assistant and job coach. This position was filled by a staff member who has her Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling. As in the past, OPTIONS will continue their partnership with Rehabilitation Services at SIU. OPTIONS will supervise one master's intern from Rehabilitation Counseling and one undergraduate from Rehabilitation Services.
As usual for the OPTIONS students and staff, the semester concluded with holiday giving.
This year, Christmas was provided to residents at the Masonic Children’s Home in Murphysboro, Illinois. This facility provides long term residential care for children between the ages of 4 and 18. The residents will each receive a new pair of shoes and several items of clothing. Several gifts were purchased for each of the cottages. This was a great activity that really reinforced for all the true joy of giving.
Until next semester, happy holidays!
Char F. Reed
Coordinator,
Options Program at Brehm
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments posted on Brehm Insight are moderated and will be approved only if they are on-topic and not abusive. You must be 18 or older to post.