Windsor student credited as Workability program helps him train with fire district

Eli Gardinho, a Windsor High senior, told the Windsor Unified School District board that a Workability placement with the Sonoma County Fire District gave him hands‑on experience and helped him decide to pursue a career in firefighting. “This program gave me an inside look of what firefighters do for our community,” Eli said, thanking his mentor and the fire department for ride‑alongs, training and volunteer opportunities.

The district’s Principal Danielle Buckman introduced Eli as a model success story from the Workability program, which places students with individualized education plans in community jobs. Buckman said the program’s coordinator, Sherry, has expanded partnerships from a handful of sites to dozens and that the placements emphasize both technical and interpersonal skills.

Charles Hall, a fire inspector and investigator with the Sonoma County Fire District, described Eli’s initiative and reliability: “He would always show up with eager eyes ready to ask what he could do,” Hall said, listing tasks Eli completed such as making address signs to help response times and participating in community engagement events. Cindy Foreman, division chief and fire marshal, said Eli grew in confidence and called him an example of the district’s efforts to “grow our own” public‑safety personnel.

District staff said the Workability program supports students with IEPs and 504 plans through tailored placements; this year the district reported 63 students served and 47 community partners. Buckman said the program focuses on finding a strong match between student needs and workplace supervisors so placements are sustainable and meaningful.

No formal action was required of the board for the presentation. The board applauded Eli and the district’s community partners and encouraged expansion of the model to offer similar pathways for other students.