18 • TheCONNECTION • February/March 2018

Wylie Public Works crews return from a long day, ready to head home, but they make an extra effort to greet and “high five” with VaQuonn

Clark, who just finished vacuuming the inside of a City of Wylie truck, not missing an inch of the upholstery with the powerful shop vac. VaQuonn smiles with joy written all over his face, the joy that comes from good, meaning-ful work and approval of his supervisors and coworker friends.

All the dogs are barking in the animal control pens, but one by one they stop when Cory Booth unhooks the gate and enters each pen, leading the dogs out-side to chase a chew toy and romp. Some are as tall as he is and put their paws up on his shoulders; some just roll on the ground for their tummy rubs. He’s earned their trust as well as the trust of the shel-ter staff.

VaQuonn and Cory took part in the transition-focused, vocational prepa-ration programs offered by Wylie ISD; the City of Wylie participates as a part-ner. Under the umbrella agency Texas Workforce Solutions, the programs help to provide work-based learning opportu-nities for special needs students who are at the end of their time in Wylie schools and need extra support to find and maintain competitive employment.

One part of the vocational program offered by Wylie ISD is Transition to Life,

which serves special needs students 18-22 who have met academic diploma requirements at one of Wylie’s three high schools but need additional support to achieve post-secondary goals. VaQuonn, age 23, was part of last year’s TTL program at Achieve Academy, and Cory, age 21, was part of the WEHS vocational program. Both young men had paid positions with the City of Wylie and earned

money, learned skills and contrib-uted to the community.

In addition to a core curriculum, their education included planning for life after graduation. Angela Riley, transition specialist with Wylie ISD, said federal law mandates that, by age 16, special needs students have begun to receive assistance planning for their post-graduation lives. Although most of these stu-dents meet the requirements and graduate with their cohort, a few need more support or training before they are prepared to lead positive, constructive lives outside the classroom. The Transition to Life program exists to fill that gap.

“Participation in the Transition to Life program is need based,” Riley said. “As graduation draws near, we have to look at all students and say, ‘Are they ready to go? Do they have skills and abilities to be successful after graduation?’”

City Job Opportunities Provide ‘Dream-Level’Experience for Special Needs Students By Judy Truesdell

VaQuonn Clark cleans the inside of a City of Wylie vehicle.

Cory Booth and Jasper play in the Animal Control yard. Cory is now employed as a permanent, part-

time kennel attendant.

www.wyliechamber.org • 19

to do when he got to work. He became more indepen-dent, more confident, and really opened up to everyone.”

In addition to taking the shelter dogs in and out, Cory washed dishes and up to eight loads of towels each day.

Shelia Patton, animal control supervisor, said she was excited to participate from the start. “The opportunity to have an employee who is so eager to work and be a part of our team has been great for everyone.”

When the time came for the young men to receive their first pay checks, Riley thought it would be impor-tant for them to appear in person at City Hall. Fagerstrom remembers that, when VaQuonn was given his check, he skipped out the door and down the hall – causing all the commemorative photos to be a blur.

“It was such a wonderful thing to witness,” Fagerstrom said. “I am thrilled the City of Wylie has contributed to the quality of life of these two young men. That day I was blinking back tears.”

VaQuonn graduated in May; Cory did so well at his position that he is now employed as a permanent, part-time kennel attendant at the animal shelter. •

An Administrative Review and Dismissal team, made up of teachers, principals and parents, meets to discuss what comes next, and the TTL program can be part of that plan for students age 18 and up. “Some students aren’t ready for a permanent job; they need additional training, support and skills to reach their goals,” Riley said. “We want to make sure they aren’t just sitting at home; we want to replace school hours with quality life experiences, with meaningful activity.”

Part of the team’s job is to understand students’ inter-ests and turn them into work-based learning opportuni-ties. Cory, for instance, loves animals. “Cory had talked for years about wanting to work with animals. Although he probably can’t be a veterinarian, maybe he can be a vet tech,” Riley said. “We don’t want to be dream crush-ers; we want to realistically guide students.”

Riley approached City of Wylie Human Resources Manager Lynn Fagerstrom about the City becoming a partner for the program. “I could clearly see that this was a chance to change lives,” Fagerstrom said. “I was bowled over by the excitement of this great partnership opportu-nity.” The City offered to hire two interns for seven hours each week.

“At first, I thought they would ‘float’ around to differ-ent departments, performing varying duties,” Fagerstrom said. “But when two students were identified who had personal goals that meshed with what the City could offer, it seemed like a great fit.”

“These are dream-level jobs for us as educators,” Riley said. “Cory and VaQuonn will have paid experience on their resume, with real-life, hands-on work experience.”

The young men flourished in their City positions. Albert Garza, VaQuonn’s supervisor in Public Works, said his young helper was a valuable member of the team, sweeping, keeping the break room in order, and cleaning city vehicles inside and out.

“He’s a great kid,” Garza said. “He had a little checklist of duties that he brought me at the end of his shift. He knew where everything is, and he knew what he needed

Assistant Public Works Superintendent Albert Garza, left, shares a laugh with VaQuonn Clark at the end of their work day.

Cory cuddles a kitten while Animal Control Supervisor Shelia Patton looks on.

The Wylie Animal Shelter team includes, back row from left, Ron Yeatts, Kevina England, Animal Control Supervisor Shelia Patton, Cory Booth, Chris Marren,

front row, Jasper, and Clayton Richardson.

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