December Info Tour

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Our December 2nd Informational Tour found us traveling to Evanston to visit Have Dreams Academy.

Have Dreams Academy is an on-the-job workforce training program for high school graduates and young adults with autism. Participants in the training program gain work experience and learn transferable job skills through intensive training, job coaching and real workplace internships. They also work to improve their social and communication skills while developing areas of career interest.

During our visit, we also learned about the Career Launch program which offers participants a real-life bridge between school and first-time employment. Working in a simulated retail environment (the wonderful on-site Walgreens store pictured above), students are introduced to actual work assignments, a job supervisor, accountability for standards, and daily feedback on key success indicators. 

Special thanks to Lora Slutsky for arranging this tour. For more information about Have Dreams programs and services, visit http://www.havedreams.org