Experience Shepherds College

I’ve had three kids go off to college now.

It was funny how in high school, when they started the process of selecting a college, I heard a lot of comments like “I want to go to school in Arizona (or California, Texas, South Dakota, Hawaii…).” It was always someplace far away from, and warmer than, Wisconsin. 

Then in the senior year of high school the reality of leaving home hit hard, and the college search focused on schools in the Midwest.

Doubts started creeping in at this point. My kids wondered, “Do I really want to go to college? I’m making a good living stocking produce at Pick ‘N Save. Why do I need to leave for four years just to get a good job when I already have a good job?!” 

And then the college visits started.

At the schools, as we walked around campus touring the buildings and grounds, each of my incredibly loud and seriously weird kids suddenly became quiet, introspective and tried their best to blend in with the mass of other oddly behaving potential students on campus. They were filled with anxiety, fear and insecurity. When evening rolled around, and it was time to leave my child with a stranger for their overnight visit, I felt like the worst mom in the world. What was I doing to them? They don’t even want to be here!

I don’t know what happened between the angst-filled parting and breakfast the next morning, but my child was returned to me each time as an excited, confident young adult eager to venture into college life.  Was it the video games played until three o’clock in the morning? Was it the limitless supply of junk food displayed on every dust-covered surface in every smelly dorm room? Was it the game of human bowling ball played in the hallways? Whatever it was, it definitely was the college experience that sold my kids on post-secondary education.

Shepherds College offers something similar... sans the insanely late nights and flesh-and-blood sports equipment. 

Chris Wright

An Experience Shepherds College Visit (ESCV) offers potential students a real taste of what their first year will be like at Shepherds College. They essentially become one of our students for the time they are here test driving our program. Is the school a good fit for them? Does it meet their expectations for their post-secondary education?  The potential students evaluate us as much as we evaluate them.

The ESCV is a vital part of the application process. Once a student submits an application, we encourage them to schedule their ESCV and complete a packet of medical forms in preparation for the visit.

What happens then?

When a visiting student arrives on campus, the student and family meet with Chris Wright who will introduce them to the Nursing staff to discuss any medical issues.  After this important meeting, either Chris or Brian Canright will go over the schedule for how the student’s time will be spent on campus. They talk to the student about when they will be having assessments and what classes they’ll be taking during their stay. Classes could include Language Arts, Money Skills, Personal Development, Personal Bible Study, Roots of Faith, Study Skills, Computer Skills, Daily Living Skills, Health or Intro to either Culinary Arts or Horticulture.

Roots of Faith Class

If our visitor hasn’t received a t-shirt prior to their ESCV, Chris will give them one at this time to say “Thanks for coming!”

Brian Canright modeling a Shepherds College t-shirt

Suitcases and duffel bags get dropped off by Mrs. Harvey for safe keeping, and Chris or Brian will walk our visitor to their first class where they are introduced to the teacher and the other students.

The teacher will assign our ESCV visitor a host for their stay. The host is a first-year student who has expressed interest in this special role and who has determined his or her spiritual gift of hospitality.

Here is what two of our student hosts say about the hosting experience: 

"I would see if the visitor needed help. If they do then I will help them with whatever they need help with. If they have a difficult time with anything then I’ll ask the teacher to help. If the teacher can’t help them then we will try to help them." ~ Kathryn

"I would get to know the person so I could get along with them better.  Then I could know how the student learns and not assume on how the student learns and how the person gets along with others. They could be so nice to someone to make them feel welcomed and feel like they are important.  Making someone feel like that makes them feel important.  When someone makes someone feel important, the person that is made to feel important wants to be around the other person all the time.  When a visiting student comes, I would like to get to know them for who they really are. I want to try to get along with everyone and be an example for the other students on how to treat a visiting student." ~ Nikki

At the end of the school day, the host will help our visitor pick up their bags and find their dorm room. Once in the room, the Res Life staff will help them get settled as well as go over important stuff like what to do if the fire alarm goes off, where the staff member will be at night, and anything else that will put our visitor at ease.

Now it’s time for the evening programming! It can be any of a variety of well-supervised activities that involve board games, movies, sports, dinner, scrapbooking, shopping, parties, outings, art appreciation, community service, etc…

Chris and Brian check in often during the visitor’s stay to make sure that everything is going well.

When the ESCV is over, our Res Life staff will make sure bags are packed up and ready for our visitor’s departure… provided our visitor ever wants to leave.

 
Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Enablex, Miralax, Dulcolax, Levit…um...Viag…, Oh My!

Thank you to Cathy Harvey, Administrative Assistant to Shepherds College for writing today's blog.

 

Bet the title got your attention, didn’t it?  It is from a great book I read recently called Autism, The Invisible Cord: A Sibling’s Diary by Barbara Cain (2013, Magination Press). I picked it up at the library simply by perusing the shelves as I walked throughout on a hunt for arts and crafts books. (Read on for how the title relates!)

Since I began working here in 2009, I appreciate even more than before some of the excellent portrayals and stories of people with disabilities in books and movies. I used to relate to them from a distance, but now I do so with more personal interest and ability to apply what I learn from them.  I grew up with an aunt who had Cerebral Palsy and a daughter with undiagnosed Asperger’s, but their lives were our norm, so I never considered them in a way others probably perceived them—with a disability.  It is probably why statistics show 53% of parents are in denial about their children’s disability because a mother’s love does not see her child as anything but a beautiful tug at her heart.  Of course I did know my aunt and daughter had a disability (though my daughter’s was a mystery for years), but life traveled on as usual and we adapted to whatever they needed.  It wasn’t until I interviewed here and was asked if I knew people with disabilities that I thought of them more clearly as such. My first thought was that I didn’t know anyone which is why it surprised me that God led me here.  Then, like a light bulb moment, I realized I had grown up around it, so it was a natural part of life’s flow.

But back to the book-- The Invisible Cord: A Sibling’s Diary is a tender rendition of life from 14-year old Jenny’s perspective, of her school and family dynamic and what life with her younger autistic brother brings to her.  His name is Ezra, an atypical 6^th grader whom she loves and defends passionately, wondering if she will ever be able to cut the invisible cord that binds her to him to explore her own dreams one day.  As she rises to occasions to defend him and gain a little revenge with his worst bully (a girl), she spearheads a story about bullying in her writers club to bring awareness to the school and her community.

He has his patterns and amusing routines, like regularly reciting a string of commercials, “Enablex, Miralax, Dulcolax, Levitra, Viagra!” in the most inopportune times that can make her want to disappear, or that keeps her laughing with his pure innocence.

She finds comfort in writing to her diary which she names “Dee,” sorting out her feelings about boys, friends, school, the principal, Ezra, and the dynamics of family members who love and accept him unconditionally, and those who never make peace about his permanent condition.

It a simple read, but so touching in the way Cain spins the tale, develops the character of Jenny, and draws the reader in to her home and school life.  It’s real (even though it’s fiction) and has a great ending which I will not give away!  I hope you will check out this Silver Medal Winner, 2013 Mom's Choice Awards book.  The back of the book includes tips for self-advocacy for siblings of children with autism.  It a great Sunday afternoon read, and I plan to read it again before returning it to the library.

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Grocery Shopping with Gloria

Thank you to Gloria, an alumnus from the class of 2011, for writing today’s blog.

My name is Gloria Pavuk and I am one of the alumni students. 

I currently live in an apartment and have two part-time jobs. When I'm not working, I am volunteering at Shepherds College once a week. 

This year I have been helping the students go grocery shopping. I go to the store with a residential staff member.  We usually shop by splitting into two groups. 

I typically help a group of 2-3 students. It is a lot of fun! 

 The students have learned how to compare prices and to compare quality vs. quantity.  

Along with grocery shopping, they also shop for their personal items.  They usually go shopping for their personal items every other week.

After we go grocery shopping, we like to go for a treat (McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.).

I enjoy being with the students, and I am blessed to have this experience!

 

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

The Office: Come On In

We’re visiting the Director of Admission’s office today. Come on in, sit down and get comfy amid all the baseball memorabilia. Chris has coffee brewing and you might even get a free t-shirt during your visit.

I know from the experience of working with Chris during Preview Days that he will make you feel at ease. He’s got that gentle way about him – you know he cares about your concerns, and his quiet confidence assures you that your questions will get answered.

He knows how scary it can be to enroll your student in college, especially a student with intellectual disabilities; one you may have thought would stay at home with you in the years following high school. You can tell by his nature that your fears will be taken very seriously as he walks you step by step through the admissions process. He shares your goal of helping your student realize his or her dream of attending college.

In many ways, Chris Wright is the perfect representative for Shepherds College. He worked for many years as a Case Manager for Shepherds Ministries before accepting the role of Admissions Director and becoming the very first employee of the college. He has experience and all the qualities necessary to work with families of students with intellectual disabilities.

 
Do you need help during the application process? Chris will patiently walk you through it, step-by-step if necessary.

Does the thought of seeking financial aid scare you to death? Chris’ calm demeanor and knowledge of your options will reassure you and give you the confidence to keep moving toward the goal of enrollment.

Do you wish your student could experience Shepherds College to see if the program is a good fit? Call Chris at 262-878-6351 to sign up for a Preview Day, to go on a tour of campus, or to schedule an overnight visit for your student. 

Experience first-hand the warmth, the safety, the faith, and the commitment inherent in the program… and in the Director of Admissions.

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.