by Kristin Benz
Kristin Benz runs a program at Waunakee High School that provides hands-on vocational training to students with developmental disabilities. MagazineLiteracy.org has had the pleasure and privilege to work with these students for the past three years who are supporting operations at our Global Literacy Outreach Center in Madison, WI, and with many others in similar programs for children and adults. The young people assist with mission critical magazine sorting and data entry to support delivery of reading materials to eager readers via food pantry newsstands, mentoring, job training, and other community literacy programs. Kristin’s report is a model for replication in any school or community. iMAGine the possibilities and join us.
My students with disabilities have learned a great deal of vocational skills through working with the MagazineLiteracy.org program. First they sort the magazines, then they have to count them.
Some of my students have been able to go farther and work on data entry. They are able to enter the magazine donor’s mailing information, as well as other information on the packaging into a database used to keep track of inventory and to thank supporters.
In addition to the work skills that students are learning, they are also learning about volunteering and helping other people.