Dealing with change is a lot of what Eaton Transition Center teaches its students. The Eaton RESA program helps special education students in Eaton County make one of the biggest transitions of their lives — moving from life as a high school student to being productive members of their community.
Led by Beth Lundy, the program helps bridge educational skills learned in school with skills needed to find employment as well as life skills necessary to be accountable for their own futures. Lundy said the program offers real world experience for students either through volunteering, site visits or just by being out in the community.
Those experiences are about to be enhanced as the program transitions to its new location at 119 S. Washington Street in downtown Charlotte. The new location is undergoing a transformation that will be three quarters classroom/one quarter storefront.
The storefront will be the home base for Creative Pulp, a project that has helped raise funds for the Transition Center for more than 10 years. Students in the program spend a small portion of their week making hand-made paper, which is then crafted into greeting cards of all varieties.
Making the cards teaches the students valuable skills while reinforcing some of the lessons taught throughout the program, such as working as a team, accountability and working with deadlines. The storefront will enhance those experiences to include handling money and customer service.
“This is an exciting opportunity,” Lundy said. “The new location will give our students an opportunity for more independence and increase their opportunity for community involvement. It’s set up to feel less like a school experience.”
Megan Swartz, a 21-year-old participant in the program said Eaton Transition Center’s work-based learning program has given her more confidence.
“I’ve gained a lot of support,” Swartz said.
She was also able to turn one of her volunteer experiences into a job at Sensations Memory Care.
Zack Huddleston, a 20-year-old participant in his second year said he too gained confidence in himself through the program. He said he plans to use that self-confidence to find a job.
Boosting self-esteem is a big part of the program, Lundy said.
“We want to the students to feel proud coming here,” Lundy said. “I learn a lot from them every day and from my para pro staff. We’re all equal here.”
Eaton Transition Center is a completely voluntary program that is available to young adults, 18 to 26 years of age, from Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Maple Valley and Potterville school districts with a mild cognitive impairment. Students set their own goals for the program and finish once those goals are met.
“This is all about our students taking responsibility for themselves,” Lundy said.
There will be a grand opening close to the end of January for Creative Pulp’s new storefront and an opportunity for community members to see the Eaton Transition Center.
Eaton Transition Center undergoes its own transition of sorts
