Writer / Laurie Quinn
Vocational Adult Learning (VOC.AL) is a program that helps transition students with disabilities to life after high school. Transition specialist Chrissy Pogue reached out to Fall Creek Township with a proposal that Trustee Jeff Hern couldn’t refuse.
These students wanted to work in the Fall Creek Township food pantry. “Our partnership with this group of students is a win-win,” Hern said. “These students have the opportunity to gain employable skills through their work in our food pantry that will allow them to become more self-efficient. In turn, it’s a great help for us in keeping the pantry organized and stocked to better serve our clients.”
For now, these FHS and HSE students meet three times a week in the community room at the Fall Creek Township building for curriculum that lasts about an hour. Afterwards, they head over to the food pantry with a job coach to organize it and stock shelves.
“The Fishers community and Hamilton County has been great about opening their doors to us,” said Pogue with a huge smile.
Upon speaking to the students, a few showed interest in specific areas that they would like to develop into a job. One girl loves fashion and would absolutely love a job at JC Penney. Another girl wants to work with children, as she adores kids. One of the students already has a job at Marco’s Pizza! He assembles the pizza boxes for the orders.
“We are always looking for jobs in the community, be it paid or volunteer,” Pogue said.
Stop in the food pantry at the Fall Creek Township Building to see for yourself what these students can do! If you have any interest or available opportunities for these students, please contact Pogue at 317-915-4290 or email her at cpogue@hse.k12.in.us.
