SOUTHERN COOK COUNTY TO FINALLY HAVE A STATE -OF -THE- ART TRANSITION CENTER FOR YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY CHALLENGED
SOUTHERN COOK COUNTY TO FINALLY HAVE A STATE -OF -THE- ART TRANSITION CENTER FOR YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY CHALLENGED
“THE ALL-NEW MICHELE D. LONIE CENTER, READY TO SERVE AND READY TO LOVE”
Dr. Johnnie Thomas-Superintendent of Rich Township High School District (RTHS) 227- will lead a coalition of School Board Members, Educators, Disability Advocates, Faith Leaders, Elected Officials, Community Leaders, and businesspersons in a ribbon cutting ceremony of a state-of-the-art transition center for young adults who are physically and developmentally challenged.
The RTHS Michele D. Lonie Center is for young adults ages 18-21 who require additional opportunities to increase their independence with achieving their post-secondary goals. The young adult’s educational team will consider participation in the transition program after high school requirements have been met.
The Lonie Center provides instruction and opportunities to address the young adult’s outcome areas of post-secondary education, post-secondary employment, and independent living skills. The educational services focus on age-appropriate skills and activities, utilizing appropriate and natural settings to the greatest extent possible (e.g., community job site, health club, student’s home, community classes, etc.). The program’s goal is to create a smooth transition from high school to post-school activities, so that the young adult may successfully participate in the community as an adult. The main objectives for the program include improving independence in adult-living situations; self-advocacy and awareness skills; leisure, recreation, and life-skills opportunities; and improving social and communication skills. Other key objectives of the program are for our young adults to experience work-based learning and volunteer work and to prepare for community living and participation.
“I’m grateful for the enormous amount of support given to our district in the construction of this wonderful facility. It gives credibility to the commitment to the upward mobility of our community, our children and to education. This is a significant victory for individuals who are challenged with various disabilities.” says Dr. Johnnie Thomas.
Different from a traditional program, most of the time our young adults will be navigating the community obtaining employment, participating in college classes, increasing mobility and use of community resources (including leisure and recreational activities), engaging in the support of adult service agencies, improving social and communication skills, improving self-determination skills, and developing friendships with other people of similar ages. The Raptor Center serves as the common landing site and includes space for training with a home-like environment as well as an employment training area for use when our young adults are not in the community.
The Transition Center is named to honor the work of one of our past team members, Michele D. Lonie. Michele served not only the Rich Township family but found impeccable ways to serve on a global scale. Michelle’s life was about serving others. She gave many years where she positively impacted the experiences of many students, staff, and parents of students with disabilities within the Rich Township.
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