Work Readiness Academy

Dear WRA Families & Supporters,

As we close out the month of January, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and dedication to our program. We look forward to all the wonderful experiences the new year will bring.

We also want to thank those families and community agencies who attended our Adult Services Provider Fair earlier this month. By all accounts, the event was a success as measured by the informal feedback we received. We're glad many of our families were able to speak with agencies about the services they provide and collect additional resources. Nonetheless, we will be sending out a short survey soon to get your feedback. This will help us to plan an even better experience next year.

The new year also means new Work-Based Learning experiences! Students at the WRA will be "rotating" into at least one new WBL experience beginning the 2nd week in February. Information about the new internships and dress requirements were sent home with your child earlier this week, along with forms that need to be signed and returned to us at your earliest convenience. Students in the Project SEARCH program started their 2nd internship rotations the 2nd week in January. See more below in our Project SEARCH update.

January at the Work Readiness Academy has been filled with a fresh new perspective as we continue to support our students in discovering their individual potential, strive to accomplish their goals, and find joy in the process of learning. As we begin this new year together, we are looking forward to progress, perseverance, and endless possibilities! Throughout daily lessons, activities, internships, and a variety of outings, our students continue to explore and discover the world around them. They have worked hard to find their inner courage and bravery in order to self-advocate, lead, and inspire! As we step into the new year at WRA, the power of courage will continue to shape our journey. Brené Brown reminds us, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” Whether it’s students starting a new internship experience, families encouraging their children’s independence, or educators inspiring learners in the classroom, each act of showing up makes a difference, and fosters a true sense of self-discovery and growth.

We were extremely pleased to have Penelope join us for this month's welcome message photo. Penelope will be exiting our program in June and will receive her diploma from Cranford High School. We are excited to be working with Penelope and her family on a plan for her transition. Each month from now until June, we will be showcasing one of our students who is scheduled to leave the Work Readiness Academy at the end of the school year.

Josh Bornstein, Director

Rachel Richer, Supervisor of Instruction

UCESC Work Readiness Academy

Each week, our students are empowered and encouraged to express their opinions, feedback and ideas by participating in our student "voice" board.

February 13, 2025 - WRA Class Trip to Linden Lanes

February 14, 2025 - Valentine's Day Mocktail Party at WRA

February 17, 2025 - School Closed - President's Day

In the event that your child will be absent, arriving late, or picked up early, please send us an email at AttendanceWRA@ucesc.org. You may also call our main number at (908) 633-2704. If it is before 8am, please leave a message.

Ben has been selected as our January student of the month for his positive attitude, determination, perseverance, and flexibility! Ben gives one hundred percent effort to all tasks and across all settings. When met with challenges Ben asks for help and works incredibly hard to learn new skills. He is open to feedback and is always willing to support others both in the classroom and out in the community. Way to go Ben! We are so proud of you!

My students have turned their creativity and teamwork into a thriving business with the launch of Soul Energy Vegan Snack Mix. The project began with brainstorming ideas, researching business plans, and choosing a product to sell. After some consideration, the students decided on a healthy, plant-based snack mix.

The process involved students and staff taste-testing and voting on various homemade granola recipes and snack mix ingredients. The final result? A delicious, energizing blend that is both healthy and vegan-friendly.

Currently, Soul Energy Vegan Snack Mix is available for purchase at two local businesses: The Morning Roast in Cranford and Soul Bowls in Scotch Plains. Each week, students work to make granola, measure ingredients, weigh the mix, and label the bags. They are also ready to fulfill orders for families and staff at WRA and Cardinal Drive.

Interested in trying the mix? Simply visit one of our participating businesses, click the link, or scan the QR code for more details on how to order. Enjoy and stay energized.

Jodi Klimko

Classroom Instructor/SLE Coordinator

Deb and Izzy creating and editing the logo

Larissa, Penelope and Alejandro working together to create our delicious, vegan snack mix

Nicky purchasing the individual snack mix ingredients

The snack mix is filled and ready for labeling!

Our team and our partners at Soul Bowls!

Our team and our other partner, The Morning Roast!

Sarah Cooke, RBT, Teaching Assistant, Bus Driver/Aide

How long have you worked at UCESC?

This is my 13th year!

What do you love most about your job?

I am truly passionate about supporting all young adult interns along their journey to future employment. There is nothing more fulfilling than watching our interns successfully apply the skills they develop and learn through our dedication.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spending time with my family and 2 "hotdogs" Abby & Moose. I also love to draw, paint, design (anything), plant, garden, be in nature, hang at the firepit on a cool night, go out on a boat and fish in the ocean. But, my absolute favorite thing to do is watch the beautiful sunrises and sunsets on LBI!

What is one thing that would surprise people about you?

I enjoy driving an ATV and often go "ATV-ing" in the woods behind our property. I also operate our ATV with a snowplow during a winter storm….which is pretty fun!

Erin at Overlook-Union Rehabilitation Department

Anthony at Hilton Hotel Housekeeping

Steven at Walgreens in Cranford

Alfi at Best Buy in Union

Hernan at Mr. J's in Cranford

Kiya at Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside

The Project SEARCH Program at Overlook Medical Center is now in its 9th year.

Applications for the Class of 2026 (cohort begins in the Fall of 2025) are now open. Applications for the Project SEARCH program are accepted on a rolling basis between November 1st and May 1st.

We are offering virtual information sessions and tours for prospective students, families, or referring school district staff. Please email us at projectsearch@ucesc.org to schedule. For more information about Project SEARCH, or to access the application for the Class of 2026, please visit:

https://www.ucesc.org/schools/the-work-readiness-academy/project-search

Meanwhile, please enjoy some highlights from the month of January at Project SEARCH including images of:

• The interns participating in our first ever modified Patient Care Technician Skills Training workshop! The students learned how to take vitals including temperature, blood pressure, and pulse-ox (level of oxygen in the bloodstream).
• The interns started their 2nd internship rotations. The new experiences will run for approximately 10-12 weeks with students attending 3.5 hours per day.
• The interns enjoying their first visit to the Overlook outdoor Walking Path and Summit Park Line.

This year, the WRA introduced a new elective...Art Appreciation! Our students spend their Friday afternoons in the "art studio" creating beautiful work in Nature Sketching, Abstract Art, and Abstract Expressionism. The young artists have studied the works of Piet Mondrian and Jackson Pollock and used their talents to create beautiful pieces of art to decorate our school hallways. The "splash" painting lesson was hands down the most enjoyable class for the students.

It was great to run into former WRA student Jack who is now in his 2nd year working in the Dietary Services department at Overlook Medical Center!

Charlie doing his best "Kevin from Home Alone" impression!

The new #2NDFLOOR app for NJ youth is here! It only takes a second to get free 24/7 mental health support with one-on-one chat, helpline, community conversations, and more. Get started at

2NDFLOOR.org/download #mentalhealth #support.

At 18 years old all individuals, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reach the legal age of majority. This means that parents can no longer make decisions legally on behalf of their children. See the attached fact shet from the Arc of New Jersey for more information about Guardianship and various alternative options.

The Work Readiness Academy serves students ages 18-21 with disabilities and provides a comprehensive employment training experience that incorporates both classroom-based instruction and community-based work-learning experiences. While in the training classroom, students work cooperatively with similar aged peers to learn critical skills related to employment and socialization. Students also work on career exploration and planning, including the development of a person-centered, post-secondary vision and plan with clear goals and action steps. Program staff remain on-site during the internships to provide and fade support and assistance as needed. Students also participate in field trips focused on career discovery, independent living skills, recreation and independent travel training.

For more information or to make a student referral, please email Rachel Richer at rricher@ucesc.org

Email: jbornstein@ucesc.org
Website: https://www.ucesc.org/schools/the_work_readiness_academy
Location: 970 Suburban Road, Union, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-633-2704