This Clay County District Schools program helps young adults with disabilities transition from school to the workplace and adulthood. Participants receive specialized support, work-based learning experiences, community interaction, skills development, collaboration, and professional development. The WOLF Program (Working Opportunities Leading to the Future), a community transition initiative with Clay County School District and Challenge Enterprises, prepares high school graduates with disabilities for competitive employment through authentic work-readiness training. The program emphasizes hands-on experiences, soft skills development, and personalized support to empower interns for workforce success. Since 2018, the WOLF Program has provided interns with valuable skills and experiences to thrive in various work settings.
The WOLF Program is designed to offer interns a blend of hands-on training and classroom instruction, focusing on essential soft skills like workplace etiquette, social conduct, and job-specific responsibilities. Hosted by Penney Retirement Community, the program has received overwhelming support, providing interns with natural supports, mentoring from staff, and a nurturing environment conducive to learning and growth.
“Our mission and vision at the WOLF Program are clear: to empower youth who are differently abled for competitive employment by immersing them in authentic working experiences within a community-based setting,” said Kelly Bowden, Senior Transition Specialist from Challenge Enterprises. “We believe in the power of ‘Just Right’ challenges, repetition, modeling, and personalized coaching to build confidence, independence, and work readiness.”
Key highlights of the WOLF Program include:
- Authentic Work Experiences: Interns gain exposure to a range of work settings such as dining, housekeeping, library services, warehouse operations, maintenance tasks, community garden activities, and more.
- Focus on Soft Skills: The program places a strong emphasis on soft skills development, including workplace etiquette, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
- Realistic Job Expectations: Interns experience work expectations that mimic a real job, fostering responsibility, accountability, and professionalism.
- Personalized Support: The program provides personalized coaching and support, gradually fading assistance to promote independence and self-reliance.
- Qualifications: WOLF candidates must be between 18-21 years old, agree to diploma deferment, and be clients of Vocational Rehab (VR).
- Expectations: Interns are expected to demonstrate a desire to work, a willingness to learn, a positive attitude, respect for others, good hygiene practices, and independence with personal care.
“We are committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every intern can reach their full potential,” added Kelly Bowden, Senior Transition Specialist for Challenge Enterprises. “Through our innovative approach and dedication to individualized support, we are preparing the next generation of workforce-ready individuals who are eager to contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
