Students experience college and gain life skills
Adult Basic Education Program (ABE) students are exploring work options and gaining life skills at Mitchell Community College through cross-campus and community volunteer opportunities.
ABE students are adults who have intellectual challenges or developmental disabilities who have supports in place to help them navigate Mitchell’s campus and classes. This summer, ABE students are helping in Huskins Library on Mitchell’s Statesville Campus. All students have the opportunity to be involved if they express an interest and are able to complete the task successfully.
“The experience of working and volunteering in the library will help them with their personal and occupational goals as well as promoting social and independent lifelong living skills,” said Sherry Clarke, Basic Skills & Compensatory Education Coordinator. Ashley Brown, ABE student and library assistant, said she enjoys making sure all the books are properly barcoded even though the task calls for lots of patience and concentration. “I really like looking at the pictures in the books,” Ashley noted, finding joy as she helps the College. “This job is perfect for Ashley,” mentor Casandra Johnson stated, “she is very detail oriented.”
Students learn a job skill, increase responsibility, gain knowledge of the library and the post-secondary education experience along with achieving a sense of accomplishment. “This is a wonderful opportunity to participate in ‘college life’,” Clarke observed. ABE students hope to partner with the Agribusiness Technology program in fall 2015 with a gardening project in the College’s urban farm.
To learn more about the ABE program at Mitchell, contact Sherry Clarke at (704) 878-3233 or sclarke@mitchellcc.edu.