April 26, 2019 at 3:43 p.m.
'Amazing Race' sends Lakeland WINGS program on fast-paced business tour
'Amazing Race' sends Lakeland WINGS program on fast-paced business tour
By Abigail Bostwick-
The focus of WINGS students - who have special needs and disabilities and are ages 18 to 21 - is to transition from high school to life as an adult. Their goals include basic life skills, independent living, connecting to community resources and recreation, building social abilities, finding postsecondary education and/or employment in the community instead of school and more.
The "Amazing Race" was part of a state-supported "Work First" initiative aiming to place cognitively-challenged individuals into the workplace - versus workshops, which are slowly being shut down, observed WINGS program instructor and special education teacher Jeannine Bolton.
Around 16 participated in the mostly grant-funded opportunity, including WINGS students as well as student mentors/teaching assistants in the program.
"We thought it would be a fun thing to do," Bolton said.
The objective for the five teams was to visit as many area businesses as possible within a certain area to talk with them and ask questions about possible employment - what a job would entail, how it is done, and what would be required - and keep moving to the next. Students were able to practice communication skills and learn what it takes to be part of employment in the Lakeland area. The teams then tallied businesses talked to within a couple-hour time frame, with the most-earning group landing a trophy.
Some of the businesses visited included Verizon, Subway, The Cheese Board, BJ's Sportshop, Arby's, Save More, Minocqua Popcorn, Trig's, Best Western, Marshfield Clinic, Kurt's Island Sportshop, McDonald's, Angelisa's and Wal-Mart.
Also involved in the "Amazing Race" was Project SEARCH, a collaboration of LUHS, Headwaters, Department of Workforce Development and Howard Young/Ascension, which provides in-depth, one-on-one employment instruction to prepare students for training rotations at Howard Young/Ascension. Young adults from the area are all welcome to apply.
"The focus is to develop work skills," Project SEARCH instructor Jennifer Varsik said.
"We're always here to help kids," Save More assistant office manager Marie Druml said. "It's good not only for the kids, but also the community. These are people who really need the job ... special needs kids work harder ... I enjoy the kids."
Save More currently employs two special needs students with another coming on board for the summer, Druml said.
After the winner was announced, students celebrated with a pizza party.
"It was about learning and making new experiences and getting to know the businesses," said Jayden "Zeek" Hopkins, WINGS student who works at Wild Berry. "If you look around, you can find a lot of things."
Teacher assistant Kyle Walbruck noted he had a lot of fun during the activity.
"We were all over," he said. "It was an interesting experience, and one I won't forget."
Walbruck hopes to pursue post-high school education where he'll be able to work with special needs kids.
"I learned to be social," said Nattie, WINGS student.
"I liked learning about how I can apply for a job," WINGS student Jacob Hansen said. "I want a job so I can have my own family."
Three kids already have found successful paid positions through WINGS, Bolton said.
For more information, contact Bolton at 715-218-1099.
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