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Students from Crossroads transition program describe job experiences to Chicopee School Committee
Summary
Two participants in the Crossroads 18–22 transition program spoke during public input about their office and custodial jobs, and staff and committee members encouraged job leads and resumes.
Two young adults who attend Crossroads, Chicopee Public Schools’ 18–22 transition program based at Fairview Elementary, spoke at the Jan. 22 school committee meeting about work tasks that they said help prepare them for employment.
Eric Dahl, the program’s transition specialist, introduced students Cameron Hines and James Courtney and invited the committee and public to visit the program. “I encourage all of you who are curious about the aims of our program to contact me @edallatcpsge.org or to schedule a visit,” Dahl said.
Cameron Hines, 20, described a daily “greeting job” with younger students and shredding work the program performs for school offices. “I love it because the kids smile at me and give me high fives,” Hines said. “If any of you have any shredding that needs to be done, just let Mr. Dahl know, and we'll come get it.”
James Courtney spoke about helping custodians and cafeteria staff to gain real work experience. “I practice filling out applications, practice job interviews. I have also filled out real applications,” Courtney said, and he noted he has a resume ready for local employers.
An acting chief human resources officer in the audience asked for Courtney’s resume, saying, “Please give me your resume. I am acting chief human resource officer right now. So let me make sure I get a copy of your resume.” Committee members who had visited the program described the experience as positive, and member Ron said later in the meeting that volunteering at Crossroads had been “one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
The committee took no formal action on the public input; members and staff encouraged connections between the program’s participants and potential employers and thanked the students for speaking.
The Crossroads program is intended to provide transition-aged students with hands-on job and life skills training; staff invited community members and businesses to contact the program with work leads and opportunities.
