Green Bay, WI--A program in Green Bay helping students with disabilities prepare for their future.The Green Bay Area Public School District partners up students with businesses around the community for real experience.
The students taking part would not get real-world experience like this if it wasn't for the program.It’s giving them a chance to explore their interests and potential. Green Bay East High School Senior Jose Fraire loves to cook. "Pretty awesome, it's relaxing" says Jose Fraire, Green Bay East Senior.
Fraire prep cooks for Titletown Brewing Company. He's one of 80 high school students taking part in this work experience program. The goal -- preparing them for the future. "Leave the classroom and learn on the job during their school day” says Wanda Bronstad: Work Experience Coordinator.
District leaders partner up with more than 30 businesses around the community and that allows students to find out what they're interested in. "Learn how to work in different environments and they transition into nice and smooth into the work force after graduation" says Bronstad.
This is the first year that Titletown Brewing Company participated in the program. “We're finding some good kids out there and it's fun to have them part of it, part of our team going forward and working with the schools and identifying people that need some help" says Brent Weycker, Titletown Brewing Company.
The transition from school to the work force might be a challenge at times for Jose. "It’s pretty hard but I’m getting there" says Fraire
But through this program -- there's nothing he can't handle. The transition service begins when the students are 14 and goes on until they're 21. Sometimes students are offered full time jobs after the program is finished.
