TOWAMENCIN – North Penn Post-12 program is breaking barriers for students with disabilities by offering them hands-on job experiences out in the community, equipping them with the necessary skills and confidence they need beyond the classroom. 

Post-12 is a program for North Penn students age 19-22 with disabilities. Throughout the school year, they are taught a wide range of topics that are aimed to help set the students up for success when they enter society. Each student has a personalized “end goal” created by the student, the student’s family, and North Penn administrators. These goals can include trying to live on their own, move into a group home, live with their parents, find a competitive job, volunteer throughout the community, etc. However, no matter the student’s aspirations for the future, the Post-12 program has incredible opportunities to make sure these goals are achievable for each and every one of their students. 

In the classroom, the students are taught many functional academics such as banking, the mathematics behind budgeting, filling out medical applications, reading magazines, and signing up for subscriptions. To help set the students up for independent/semi-independent living, they are taught skills that they might not have learned from classes like algebra or calculus such as cooking, cleaning, use of public transportation, reading community signs, etc. The students also visit the Penndale apartments, which mimic an actual apartment. They are taught how to set a table, kitchen safety, and how to make a bed.

Throughout the school year, the students also do projects that simulate important independent living skills. Last year, they were given fake jobs and they had to figure out how to make a strong budget, find an apartment and roommate, make car payments, and pay different kinds of bills. This shows the students what they might run into in the real world and gives them the confidence to be able to do these things on their own. 

One of the most unique opportunities for the program is having community businesses that allow the Post-12 students to volunteer and gain job experience. Having the opportunity to work at various job sites allows the students to be able to figure out what they enjoy and where they might want to work in the future. One of these job sites is Walgreens. Here, the students work on stocking shelves, finding expired items, and breaking down boxes. When students first

enter the workforce, they are given almost full support since working a job is completely new to them. But as time goes on, they start to become more comfortable and gain independence. 

“It’s really neat to see them thrive after they come here being so nervous. They think they can’t do a lot of the skills that we tell them they will be doing at the beginning, but by the end of the year they are doing it independently and they are very proud of themselves. I can see their progress and they can see their progress,” North Penn Post-12 teacher, Ms. Garritt reflected. 

The students establish quality skills not only through their work but also with the relationships they make with each other, Walgreens employees, and the North Penn aids who assist them. While working, the students love to motivate each other with words of encouragement and numerous high-fives or hugs. Kindness and hard work are major aspects of the student’s work environment. They also love to be goofy and crack many jokes while working. 

“Being the manager of Jimmy Shea,” is Post-12 member, Izzy Maggi’s favorite part of working at Walgreens. With a lighthearted spirit, Jimmy is the kind of kid that brings a smile to anyone’s face and when teamed up with Izzy, it’s safe to say, the world around them just smiles more. 

“It’s a comedy show,” Mrs. Kara Walter, North Penn aid added, in describing the nonstop fun working with Jimmy and Izzy. 

Even though they love having fun, this doesn’t stop the students from completing their work. It instead makes them even more successful by having such a fun and energetic work environment. A huge part of the positivity comes from the North Penn aids. There is no way to hide the fact that the staff members love these kids with every ounce of their hearts. The positive words of encouragement, the motivation to do things the right way, and their yearning for the students to succeed all reflect this.

Through this support system, North Penn Post-12 members will be more than qualified to enter society and be able to thrive. North Penn is lucky to have such an amazing program filled with incredible students and staff.