December 18, 2024

November Recap: Pathways to Partnerships

Here's a look back at this remarkable month:

Empowering Students in Houston County

Male student facing a woman teacher in a classroom setting.
Students interacting with the teacher during a P2P lesson.

Warner Robins Middle School (WRMS) and Feagin Mill Middle School (FMMS) students have had an incredible month of engaging lessons. Highlights included:

  • FMMS: Students developed self-advocacy skills, explored the power of communication, and embraced the importance of work ethic in personal and professional success.
  • WRMS: Students participated in lessons focused on self-advocacy and job readiness. Through career exploration activities, they identified dream jobs aligned with their strengths and interests.

We’re thankful for our strong partnerships with GVRA, Disability Connections CIL, and Houston County Schools, which make this work possible.

Progress in Polk County Schools

Cedartown Middle School (CMS) and Rockmart Middle School (RMS) students continued their "Pathway to Dreams" journey, building essential skills for future success:

  • Self-Advocacy: Students practiced role-playing scenarios to effectively express their needs and understand the role of advocates in their lives.
  • Professional Communication: Students explored the nuances of formal and informal communication styles, applying these skills to texts, emails, and workplace interactions.
Recap from one of the middle school sessions.
Recap sheet from P2P school session
  • Growth Mindset: RMS students cultivated strategies to maintain positivity and persistence in school and future employment.
  • Stress Management: CMS students identified stressors and created personalized management plans to navigate challenges with confidence.

These lessons are equipping students with critical skills to navigate their educational and professional journeys with independence and resilience.

Collaboration for a Brighter Future

The P2P Youth Programming Work Session was a highlight this month. This incredible day of teamwork brought together GVRA counselors, CIL representatives, and leadership from RWS and CS. Together, we began developing "Pathway to Dreams: Bridging the Gap," a program designed to:

  • Bridge the transition from high school to post-secondary success.
  • Focus on independent living and work integration skills.
  • Foster collaboration among partners to support youth.

This initiative demonstrates the power of collective effort in creating lasting opportunities for students.

Male student playing a game with a woman looking on to assist
Students interacting at P2P table at the GLRS Transition Fair.

Middle Georgia GLRS Transition Resource Fair

Our P2P Team participated in this impactful event, connecting with over 250 students and families. Highlights included:

  • Sharing resources from GVRA and Disability Connections.
  • Engaging students with a fun soft skills Plinko-themed game to explore pre-employment transition skills.
  • Promoting youth opportunities, including Roosevelt Warm Springs post-secondary options and CIL supports.

Thank you, Houston County Schools and GLRS, for this opportunity to make a difference during a pivotal transition for students and families!

New P2P Webpage Launch

We’re excited to introduce our new P2P webpage, launched just in time for Thanksgiving! This platform is designed to be a central hub for updates, resources, and inspiring stories from the P2P community. It offers valuable tools and guides for families, insights into P2P programming, and resources for employers. Explore our outreach efforts, toolkits, and partnerships aimed at significantly enhancing the training and preparation of children and youth in Georgia, empowering them to achieve and sustain competitive integrated employment.

By the Numbers: November at a Glance

  • P2P Pathway to Dreams Total Enrollment (Cumulative): 155
  • Schools Participating in November Implementation: 4 (Warner Robins Middle, Feagin Mill Middle, Cedartown Middle, Rockmart Middle)
  • Grades Served: 7th, 8th, and Adaptive
  • Number of Children Served (6th-8th Grade): 52
  • Number of P2P Services Delivered: 167
  • November P2P Family Contacts (Emails and Phone Calls): 683
  • November Outreach Events: 7
  • November Facebook P2P Post Views: 6,557
  • November P2P Website Homepage Views: 244

As we close out November, we remain grateful for the unwavering support of our partners, families, and communities. Together, we are building pathways to brighter futures for our students and are excited for what lies ahead!

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