After just a few days working at My Place Child Care, Paul Waters and Sophia Keister couldn’t walk down the hallway without getting hugs, smiles and waves from kids of all ages. 

They spent the next few weeks helping out at meals, playing kickball, teaching students games and reading them books.

For Paul, a student at Watkins Memorial High School, and Sophia, a student at New Spring Special Education Services, this summer was the first time they participated in the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Summer Youth Work Experience program.

Although they both have aspirations to work in other fields, spending time at the child care gave them a taste of the working world —  and earning a paycheck!

Summer Youth Work Experiences are one option available to students supported by the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD) and OOD, as well those supported solely by OOD. 

The program helps prepare students with disabilities, age 14 to 21, for life after high school by giving them the opportunity to participate in paid community work experiences.

This summer, 49 youth participated in a variety of work experiences at 10 sites around Licking County. 

One Licking County provider, Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries, hosted students at multiple work sites, including several Goodwill locations, Bob Evans, My Place Child Care, Walking Wild Fox Rescue and the Licking Park District.

Liam Forrest, a student at GOAL Digital Academy, was one of the students who spent several busy weeks at Infirmary Mound Park, helping maintain trails and horse jumps and cleaning picnic shelters and canoes. 

He’s looking into a career in fast food and hoping to get his driver’s license, so his summer experience helped him gain the skills, and funds, to move forward with both goals.

“I learned you need to help others by working as a team,” he said. 

Natalie Needham, a student at My Place to Be, spent last year working at Infirmary Mound Park and was excited when she found out that her experience this summer was at Walking Wild Fox Rescue. 

She spent several weeks helping with cleaning and playing with the foxes, especially her favorite, Maid Marian, who recently became a foster mother to a group of baby foxes. 

“I like helping out here,” she said. “The program is really good. It’s helped me a lot, learning how to work.”

If you have a child, 14 years of age or older with a disability, reach out to OOD for more information on how the agency can help your child with career exploration, skill development, and strategies to get a job after graduation. Counselors begin talking with students and their parents, about next summer’s opportunities, beginning in the fall. To find out more, go to  https://ood.ohio.gov/information-for-individuals/services/student-services/students-14-plus or talk to your  LCBDD Transition Specialist.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities contributed to this article.