Mrs. Kathy Rafter and Mrs. Cara Gimbel, seasoned special education teachers at Abington Senior High School, co-founded the A.C.T.I.V.E. Academy in 2015.
A transitional program designed for young adults aged 18-21, the academy teaches students vocational, travel training, and independent living skills. Students are provided with opportunities to practice these skills in the classroom, at various job sites, and in the community.
The program began with eight students. The cohort is now 23 students, each of whom are placed in community work sites in and around greater Glenside four days a week. Some work at the CVS in Jenkintown, some work at the Willow Grove YMCA, others at Briar Bush Nature Center, Abington police department, Abington Hospital, Abington Library, Hatboro Community Cupboard, Holy Redeemer Hospital, and Rydal Park, among other locations.
“We have nine wonderful job coaches that work with our students in the community. Their primary role is to teach those skills at their work sites,” Mrs. Rafter, now in her 29th year, told Glenside Local. “We go visit and check in to see how they’re doing. They’re truly become partners.”
Kremp Florist of Willow Grove (Upper Moreland Township) donates flowers to the academy every week. Students create floral arrangements and deliver them to patients in local hospitals.
“We couldn’t do any of this without those work sites. The partnerships that we’ve established are truly a gift. We’re very fortunate to be in this community,” Mrs. Gimbel, now in her 20th year, said.
According to Mrs. Rafter, the program started from a need.
“Our students were received transitioning services, but their program wasn’t connected to anything local. We wanted to bring that to Abington and have opportunities in their community,” she said. “At the IU, they were at work sites in Norristown and other parts of the county. With us, they’re able to continue on to something local.”
A.C.T.I.V.E. students work alongside junior and senior interns. Each Tuesday, the academy runs “The Perfect Blend”, a nonprofit cafe which serves about 200 drinks to students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the Abington Township Police Department. Customers can pay with donations.
“The cafe was initially a cart,” Mrs. Gimbel said. “Eventually, it became a cafe. When the school was renovated, they saw what great business we were doing around the school. Administration wanted that to grow.”
Students are also taken into the community on a weekly basis where they practice grocery shopping, ordering from menus, and recreational activities that help support local businesses. The academy also teaches safety via cooking/kitchen lessons, and instruction about home life, public transportation, internet, and phone safety.
“We want them to build a resume and learning pre-employability skills,” Mrs. Rafter said. “We try to give them all kinds of experiences and push them in new ways to be independent. We want the community to recognize our students after the graduate.”
“We’re so incredibly proud of our students, and so grateful for administration for giving us the opportunity to grow the program. The students are amazing. It’s so gratifying to witness their journey,” Mrs. Gimbel said.
“The parents are so appreciative of us. We hear from students for years after they leave. It’s the best part of the job,” Mrs. Rafter said. “They will tell us about the huge changes they see. They see the independence and the growth. It’s been the highlight of my career.”
For more on the A.C.T.I.V.E. Academy, you can visit the program’s website.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photos: ASD