District 11 Strive Program - Special Needs Students Volunteer at The Salvation Army
Adults with disabilities’ lives are being enriched by our partnership with the District 11 STRIVE Program. The three-year STRIVE program empowers participants aged 18-21 years through a holistic approach, equipping them with practical skills and offering them real-life experiences to nurture their personal growth and well-being. STRIVE is an initiative to help Students Transitioning to Reach Independence, Vocation, and Education.
“The Salvation Army believes in the power of community and service,” says Major Stephen Ball, The Salvation Army Corps Officer and County Coordinator. “By supporting STRIVE, we’re not only helping individuals with disabilities ‘thrive,' but also contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate society by having these students volunteer in our programs,” Ball added.
Students enrolled in the program actively engage in various tasks and projects that encompass work experience, volunteering, financial literacy, cooking, and other life skills. Through this comprehensive curriculum, students acquire practical knowledge and develop essential skills for personal growth and self-sufficiency.
“We teach them how to do the things they weren’t taught in high school, like learning how to save their money or how to cook for themselves. We want them to leave the program knowing they have substantial life skills so they can hold a job, live independently, and so forth,” said District 11 teacher, Margarita Marquez, who has worked with the program since its inception in 1991.
Marquez has been bringing students to volunteer at The Salvation Army since 2007 because by cooking in the kitchen, serving meals, and cleaning the food pantry, they learn life skills while serving those in need.
“We absolutely love partnering with The Salvation Army … our students understand what it means to selflessly serve others in the community,” says Marquez. “Plus, they’re gaining social skills they might not otherwise be able to acquire by interacting with strangers and learning how to create conversation with them.”
Hundreds of students have participated in The Salvation Army - STRIVE partnership and have left feeling stronger and more confident. 20-year-old Hunter worked in maintenance and said he loves The Salvation Army so much that he volunteers ringing the red kettlebell during Christmas on his own.
Another graduating student is 21-year-old Ally, who has worked in The Salvation Army kitchen for three years. “My favorite memory was my first day. I got to work in the kitchen with Chef Jorge. He had me flip 80 burgers!” laughed Ally.
Your support makes a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals like the STRIVE students. Hunter and Ally will take their next step into the working world after graduation, thanks to the skills they learned volunteering with The Salvation Army.