Transition graduates celebrate success

Local News

Discussion

June 27, 2009

Carey Services program marks another year of accomplishments

by Denise Massie Pharos-Tribune Sat Jun 27, 2009, 10:14 PM EDT

What better way to celebrate the graduating high school than with a graduation party?

And so it was for five area high school graduates who gathered for a celebration Thursday at the Church of the Nazarene. Making it even more of a celebration was that each one was a participant with the transition services program at Carey Services.

Dawn Rector, Carey Services transition liaison, said it was important to recognize the students she worked with over the past year.

“I think every student deserves a graduation party,” Rector said. “Some of the students don’t have the opportunity to have one. It’s just an opportunity to get together, network with other students and work on social skills.”

Rector also feels it is important for each student to earn recognition for their hard work and successes.

Those in attendance included Caston High School graduate Jessica Lovell, Pioneer graduate Dawn Murphy and Logansport High School graduates Jessica Lewis, Cory Cossart and Andrew Bowles.

Lewis plans to attend Ivy Tech in Indianapolis for culinary school. She hopes to open her own restaurant one day. She became involved with the program to help with applying for college, filling out paperwork and signing up for classes.

“I feel like I’m better prepared,” she said.

Lovell is planning on becoming a nurse. She participated in the program to help with college and dealing with a stress problem. The program has taught her how to talk to others about how she feels. Eventually, Lovell would like to work with special-needs children.

Cossart would like to find a career with working on computers. He thought the program helped him, especially on how to look for jobs. He also enjoyed participating in the “Build Me Keep Me,” which allowed him to build a computer and receive a laptop. He is now looking to find an internship.

Bowles is joining the Navy and plans to become a medic, specializing in trauma.

Murphy is hoping for a career in photography. She became involved with the program after receiving a letter in the mail. Murphy said it helped her with leadership skills.

“I’m excited to go to college and get out on my own and see what the real world is like,” she said.

Carey Services offers services to people with known diagnosed mental and physical disabilities. The goal of the transition services program is to help each high school student gain self-sufficiency and transition smoothly to the next part of their lives.

Referrals for the program are received from the Department of Family and Social Services Agency. The Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides the clients for Carey Services as well as the grant funding the transition program.

“The program wouldn’t be possible without them,” Rector said.

Since the program was started, Rector said she is compassionate about her job. She believes it is necessary to offer support for each student to become successful in life.

Rector has mixed feelings about the students moving on.

“It makes me feel happy and it makes me feel sad,” she said. “I really care about these kids. It’s really hard to let go, but I’ll follow up with them.”

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
A 25-year-old Logansport man admitted Thursday to leaving the scene of a deadly wreck last year, but he will not serve any time in jail as the result of a plea agreement.

May 25, 2012
Board backs 51 percent spike in utility rates
For Paul Hartman, the issue facing the Logansport Stormwater Management Board is pretty simple.

May 25, 2012
13-foot statue celebrating arts to stand in Logan
Logan’s Landing danced a little closer Thursday to sprucing up the downtown area and crafting the arts and design district it’s been longing to create.

May 25, 2012
Stormwater board OKs rate increase
The Logansport Stormwater Management Board this morning approved a 51 percent increase in its monthly rates.

May 24, 2012
LHS senior prank As a senior prank, Logansport High School students moved the cow from in front of Happy Burger West to the Berry Bowl this morning. It was all in good fun, though. Bob Shanks, the owner of Happy Burger, was even on hand to pose for pictures.
May 24, 2012
‘It’s not about you’: Local mom shares journey of adopting foster children
Foster parenting isn’t always easy, says Juanita Jackson. Between caseworker visits and baby-sitting restrictions, the 42-year-old balances work and caring for five children as a single mom.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Longtime Lewis Cass teacher fired over license
Notwithstanding the impassioned pleas on Scott Rouch’s behalf, the Southeastern school board unanimously voted to cancel his teaching contract for “neglect of duty and other just causes.”

May 24, 2012
Jeremy Franklin charged with two felonies
A special prosecutor this week filed three charges, including two felony counts, against the son of the Logansport mayor.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Logan multiplex still in the works
Plans for a multiplex in Logansport are still in the works, but at least one city official hoped the process would move a bit quicker.

May 24, 2012
Ambulances moving: Hospital says change will save $200,000
Rural/Metro, Cass County’s newest ambulance service, told Logansport Memorial Hospital that it plans to move out of the ambulance garage at the end of its lease in September.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Transition graduates celebrate success

Carey Services program marks another year of accomplishments

Cass County commissioners recently passed an ordinance giving three departments the authority to issue tickets to individuals whose properties are in violation of county codes. Do you support this move?

Site Map

Contact Us