Program for youth with disabilities helps plan future

BANGOR – As part of the “School to Life” Transition Planning Series of workshops being offered by the Maine Transition Network, Region 3-Penquis, STRIVE U’s executive director, Peter Brown, and admissions coordinator, Laura Maddock Healey, will present information about this unique post-secondary program for youth with developmental disabilities.

The STRIVE U program will be presented 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, in the conference room at Alpha One, 1048 Union St., Bangor.

The program is free, but space is limited, so preregistration is a must. Call Cindy Tuck at 992-2270 or e-mail schooltolife@midmaine.com to register.

Located in the Portland area, STRIVE U has established a collaborative agreement with the University of Southern Maine, providing its students with the educational opportunities, exposure and inclusion of a college campus.

“STRIVE U is a complete program not offered anywhere else,” said Brown. “It is inclusive, comprehensive and groundbreaking.”

The uniqueness of the program stems from a curriculum with four interconnected domains: competitive employment, with real job experience; post-secondary educational opportunities on the Southern Maine campus; independent living in the community in one of three off-campus apartment buildings managed and staffed by STRIVE U; and transition assistance, with housing and employment supports, following graduation.

“The goal of STRIVE U is to enable its graduates to live and work as fully productive community members with maximum independence,” said Brown. “We feel our program offers a complete package for students. While other programs may provide employment training, residential services or post-secondary education, very few programs provide all three for individuals with developmental disabilities.”

“For far too long, post-secondary educational programs have been nonexistent for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities,” said Cindy Tuck, coordinator of the School to Life transition series. “This needs to change.”

“STRIVE U, in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine, has taken a bold step toward making college a viable option for everyone,” Tuck said.

“The college experience is more than just an academic one; it includes the excitement of campus life, personal and social skill-building, self-advocacy, self-confidence, independence and increased self-esteem. These skills are carried with us throughout our lifetime, and should be available to everyone,” declared Tuck.