Students experience the joy of work
Young adults with special needs in the Martinez Community Academy are taught vocational skills
The Walgreens store in Martinez has been open for only a couple of hours, and its candy shelves are in desperate need of attention.
Working intently to re-stock the Skittles, Big Hunks, Snickers bars and other sweet treats are Liliana Lopez, 20, and Mason Richardson, 18. They are students in the Martinez Community Academy’s (MCA) Transition Program, designed to teach independent living and vocational skills to young adults in need of special education services.
At times, matching the right candy with its proper spot on the
shelves is a bit of a challenge. It’s sort of like piecing together a massive 3D puzzle. But with the help of their teacher, Merry Bell — along with plenty of persistence — the pieces come together.
“I love this job, and it’s just my first day!” exclaims Richardson. “This is the best day of my life!”
“It’s so fun,” adds Lopez. A few miles away, at the Round Table Pizza restaurant, two other MCA students — Richardson’s twin brother, Reese, and Brandon Chew, 19 — are performing pre-opening chores. Under the watchful eye of Rosa Gonzalez, they vacuum the floor, set up chairs and wipe down tables, all with a precise focus.
“Everyone has a different ability level,” Gonzalez says. “But they’re pretty smart and independent. You just have to give them specific duties, and they’re ready to go.”
The MCA program, directed by Sandra McMillan, has received funding this year from Share the Spirit, an annual holiday campaign that serves disadvantaged residents in the East Bay. Donations benefited 49 nonprofit agencies in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The grant will be used to help students pay for recreational activities and for transportation costs, which many cannot afford.
Upon completion of their morning work shifts, the students gather in a classroom at Alhambra High School. There, they and five others are taught reading, math and other academic skills. The program follows the regular high school schedule and is geared for students ages 18 to 22.
McMillan, whose oldest daughter has a severe handicap, is in her 26th year as a special education instructor. She describes her work as “therapeutic,” and, after all this time, it continues to provide incredible fulfillment.
“The students typically have wonderful personalities with a joy of life and an eagerness to learn and succeed,” she says. “As a special education teacher, I get to see over and over again how these students can learn when taught at their assessed level. You just have to give them the time.”
McMillan teaches reading skills, but she has a special place in her heart for the vocational training portion of the transition program. Over the years, she has seen how her students passionately approach their jobs and the rewards that hands-on work provides.
“It’s their first opportunity to work in the communit,y and they take ownership,” she says. “They just feel so proud of themselves. They feel like they’re contributing — like they can be successful.”
Reese Richardson echoes that sentiment, claiming that his duties at Round Table might lead to even better things.
“I think that if I work and I learn these skills and then use them, I will be able to get a full-time job,” he says.
The vocational training the students receive is supported by a state-funded program called WorkAbility and is administered by the Contra Costa Office of Education. Unfortunately, the funding covers only a onehour, minimum-wage shift per student per week. So the MCA supplements the paid work training with volunteer jobs.
On Mondays, for example, some of the students volunteer for two hours at Loaves and Fishes, a longrunning program that provides meals to low-income families and disadvantaged individuals. Other volunteer work is devoted to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, and Special Olympics.
In addition, the students are introduced to a number of activities in the community. They learn to use public transportation and budget their earnings. Also on tap this school year: a trip to the Oakland Museum, a play at Diablo Valley College, bowling, bake sales and more.
“Research has shown that most disabled adults tend to live reclusive lives,” McMillan says. “We hope to increase their independent living skills in the community, as well. The ultimate goal is to make them as independent as possible.” Share the Spirit
The Share the Spirit holiday campaign, sponsored by the Bay Area News Group, funds nonprofit holiday and outreach programs in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
To make a tax-deductible contribution, clip the coupon accompanying this story or go to www. sharethespiriteastbay.org/ donate. Readers with questions, and individuals or businesses interested in making large contributions, may contact the Share the Spirit program at 925-4725760 or sharethespirit@crisis-center.org.