Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
On June 26, 2024, students from Jasper High School’s “Success in the Summer” program visited the Jasper campus of Bevill State Community College. This visit was part of a broader initiative to provide hands-on work experience to young adults with disabilities.
The “Success” program at Jasper High School has received a significant boost from a $35,400 grant awarded by the Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT) Foundation, based in Elgin, Illinois. This funding supports a summer work program for special needs adults aged 18-24. The NBT Foundation, known for its traditional summer camps for middle and high school students, partnered with the Mitsubishi Electric Foundation two years ago to extend these opportunities to individuals with disabilities.
The four-week summer work program, running from June 17 to July 17, involves activities on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Mondays are dedicated to classroom learning, while Tuesdays and Wednesdays are reserved for practical work experience in various community businesses.
During their time at Bevill, the students assisted with various tasks. They helped pack promotional gift bags for prospective students, an activity that required careful attention to detail and organization, and shredded documents that were no longer needed by the college, which involved learning proper document disposal procedures. The students also organized materials for upcoming events, helping to streamline the college’s event preparation process, and they helped change air conditioning filters, gaining insight into routine maintenance tasks.
During a media day on June 21, “Success in the Summer” teacher Jackee Key highlighted the community partners involved, including The Hive, Lavish Coffee Bar, Pro 1 Training and Fitness, and Bevill State Community College.
Participant Cari Beth McClain told The Walker Leader that Lavish Coffee Bar has been her favorite job site, and Logan Standifer said that his is Pro 1 Training.
Key said that for her and fellow “Success” teacher Jonah Trotter, the overall goal of the program is to foster independence among participants.
“My goal is for when they leave our program to not need me anymore,” Key said. “I want them to come back and visit, but I want them to not need me. I want them to feel confident that they can be successful in life.” WL
