Cushing opens doors for vocational students

Cardinal Cushing Centers’ commitment to vocational training doesn’t include only its own students and adult participants. 

The organization offers additional services to non-Cushing students, in conjunction with their public schools. These services, which meet both state and federal requirements, include the Vocational Alternatives Program, in which students receive one-on-one training in a particular vocational field to better prepare for future job opportunities. 

The students, who are typically age 18-21, qualify for special education services within their local high schools and can participate until they age out of services at 22. They can choose from culinary, business, recycling, industrial arts and agriculture training.

“It’s robust skills training without having to be a full-time Cushing student,” said Meghan Campia, Cushing vice president of student programs and services.

The program, which relaunched in the fall of 2023, has really taken off this year. Campia said it’s a great way to maintain positive relationships with school partners. 

Participating this year are students from Braintree, Hanover, Hingham and Hull. 

Maureen Melone, Providing Opportunities to Students in Transition (POST) program teacher at Hanover High School, said students go to Cushing twice weekly and learn basic job readiness skills such as dressing for the job, displaying appropriate behavior, working through independent problem solving and taking direction from a supervisor.

“The goal is to help them find out what they want to do when they age out,” said Melone. “It’s awesome to have the opportunity to try things out, and the convenience of rotating between multiple vocation sites at the same location is unmatched. Plus, it’s right down the street. Their comfort level has really grown in the last two years, as well as their all-around competency and self-advocacy. Hopefully they’ll be ready for jobs when they leave us.”