SASD Community Helping Hands Award


The Community Helping Hands Award recognizes a school district and their non-school community partner for their outstanding collaboration in implementing a successful program, project or activity that has generated significant local community involvement and positively impacted the education of children.

 

 

2009 Winner 
Aberdeen School District & Presentation College

The Transition Learning Center (TLC) is a collaborative effort between Aberdeen School District ( ASD ) and Presentation College to meet the needs of developmentally delayed students aged 18-21.  It allows Presentation College to meet one of its ministry goals and provides ASD with a unique means of transitioning students into adulthood.  The program, which now welcomes students from within and outside South Dakota, provides the least restrictive environment for developmentally delayed students to gain life skills with other students their own age.  By residing in Presentation College ’s dormitory suites with non-developmentally delayed roommates, the TLC students receive independent living training.  They participate in recreation activities, learn lifetime hobbies, take college classes, and gain valuable work experience.  Graduates are now working at a variety of jobs and many are living on their own, maintaining apartments.  Additionally, 100% of the 2008 graduates are employed.  This program celebrates the diversity that occurs without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, or national origins.