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L.E.A.P. students create winter bash for friends, families AMBER MCKENNA THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
It was the sound of the L.E.A.P. program students, along with family and friends, ringing in the holidays at their first Winter Bash. L.E.A.P., Life Education for Adults of Parkrose, aims to transition disabled students through the age of 21 to adult life through community-based experiential learning. The group of fewer than 20 students takes classes on essential skills required for independent living such as communication and transportation skills - how to navigate Portland on TriMet - social and leisure opportunities, physical and mental health supports, financial security, and social/civic responsibilities. L.E.A.P. works with the Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to find employment matching students' skills and strengths. Once a month students get one-on-one help in Life Planning Meetings, held to ensure that they are working toward independence. The Winter Bash was a reward for a year's worth of lessons, field trips and hard work, Transitions Coordinator Kesia Micheletti said. Loretta Stites, Transition Specialist for LEAP, said the decorations were made by students. Hand-cut snowflakes hung from ceilings and adorned walls of the grange. Micheletti said she plans to sell the handmade decorations at a conference she will attend next year, to raise money for the program. We made all the decorations. We went to Fred Meyer and shopped and made the food, student Mohammed Omar said proudly. The popcorn balls are my favorite. Snacks the students made included Chex mix, popcorn balls, cookies, muddy buddies and more. Students invited family members and friends of the L.E.A.P. program to attend the celebration. ReAnn Brooks, a L.E.A.P. student, brought her grandfather Louis Frank. Brooks said she had a great time prepping for the Winter Bash with her fellow students and was happy to get to play games with friends in her holiday best. Stites said the Russellville Grange was the perfect spot for the event, and that it's a space the L.E.A.P. program has grown quite familiar with. The students have been using the space about twice a week to host their dance and cooking classes, among other activities. The Grange has been letting L.E.A.P. use the facilities for free, and will play host to many more events when it officially reopens in the spring, Stites said. |
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