LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — At Los Alamitos High School’s recent Open House event on Thursday, Mar. 12, the Griffins Work Experience Program displayed the effort they have been putting into building a supportive and educational environment. The students were given the opportunity to build connections with other students and families through their hands-on activities and communication.
“At Open House, I enjoyed working with the other students and getting to know each other. There were about 5 shifts, and we had some help from other students. It was overall a very relaxing and fun experience for me,” said an anonymous GWEP volunteer.
GWEP is a program that supports all students with moderate to severe disabilities on the Los Alamitos High School campus by providing them with the opportunity to build skills for their future. These skills include teamwork, leadership, responsibility, independence and communication. GWEP aims to support the transition of students through any experiences or challenges they may face after high school.
“My goal for participating in this program is to build on the strong foundation of skills that my supervisors, including Mrs. Belisle, have helped me develop, while enhancing student experiences. LAHS is a special place, and I’ve had the honor of witnessing the strong collaboration between the school and the community, which continues to inspire my growth,” said Joseph Trejo, GWEP staff member.
Students were able to participate in a variety of experiences, such as office support, gardening, kitchen support, floral arrangements through Blooming Abilities and other entrepreneurship-based activities. Both staff members and volunteers can learn and develop new skills through partnership with the students. This inspirational program supplies all with a creative and positive space to acquire new knowledge and cultivate relationships through the collaboration of students and mentors.
“There were several highlights at the Open House, but one that stood out to me was the strong collaboration between staff and students. I especially enjoyed seeing students interact with patrons while selling and promoting their business products, as it showcased the strength and creativity of the program,” said Trejo.
The diligence and dedication of all staff members to promote a healthy and open-minded environment, displayed at Open House, allowed both students and staff to grow. The GWEP community is provided with valuable opportunities to support students with diverse academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
