Shepherds College: A Post-Secondary Educational Program For Individuals With Disabilities

 Posted on February 15, 2010 in Social Security Disability

In early January, I came across the Shepherds College Twitter page while reading a disability posting and immediately began following their program. Prior to discovering Shepherds College, I had never heard of a post secondary educational program designed specifically to help people with disabilities. Shepherds College is so unique that I almost immediately wanted to spread the word about their program. They were kind enough to make the following post on my blog:

For years Shepherds’ staff has continued to ask, “What more can we do for people with intellectual disabilities?” In response to this question, we discovered gaps in services to young adults with intellectual disabilities. Once they aged out of the public school system, they found few employment options open to them. Many floundered at home without purpose or direction. Their parents were equally confused and felt frustrated by the lack of information available to them. 

Our solution was Shepherds College. Launched in 2008, the Union Grove, Wisconsin college was designed to help people with intellectual disabilities make a successful transition from school to work, and from home to independent living. We created a three-year program that centered on each student’s development of Appropriate Independence™ - a level of self-sufficiency that is aligned with individual strengths and guided by religious values. This program includes several important components: life skills training, specialty majors and spiritual formation. 

Our Life Skills program covers areas such as daily living skills, functional academics, mobility skills and social skills. Students are equipped for successful performance in the workplace and acquire the ability to cultivate healthy relationships. Our residential campus is small and offers a very friendly and welcoming community. 

Currently, we offer specialty majors in Culinary Arts and Horticulture. Our Culinary Arts students learn competencies in a wide variety of food service occupations from fast food to catering. The Horticulture students learn skills such as floral design, landscaping, and greenhouse plant production. No matter the major, each student will have learning experiences that will prepare them for work in jobs that really make a difference.

At Shepherds College, we know that each student was created on purpose, and for a purpose. It is our goal to nurture each student mentally, physically, intellectually and spiritually in order to find that purpose and grow to their fullest potential.

If you would like to learn more about Shepherds College, please visit our website at www.shepherdscollege.org.