August 5-7, 2011
College to Career Program (C2C) is Launched!
Friday, August 5th, 2011
Harbor Regional Center
(HRC), Long Beach Community College (LBCC), the State of California Department
of Rehabilitation and Home Ownership for Personal Empowerment, Inc. (HOPE) have
formed a partnership to create a new post-secondary college program for persons
with developmental disabilities called “College to Career” (C2C).
The goal of the C2C Program is to integrate students
with a developmental disability in to all aspects of campus and community
living by providing a residential “student housing” experience while they are
attending college and preparing for a degree that will enable them to pursue
and obtain employment in their field of choice. HOPE is excited to be the
housing partner in this remarkable collaborative effort. On May 25, 2011, HOPE
purchased a 5 unit apartment building (3,304 square feet) in Long Beach located
near LBCC and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) where students
will be able to access housing while attending one of the two colleges. The
apartment building has 3 “one bedroom” and 2 “two bedroom” units where eight (8) C2C students will reside. A “one bedroom” unit will be available to
the Supported Living Service (SLS) Provider, California MENTOR,
who will establish a Resident Advisor who will provide support services
enabling the students an opportunity to make a transition to independent
living. HOPE plans to refurbish all units by renovating kitchens and bathrooms, installing new efficiency windows and doors, painting, adding adequate lighting, and updating the exterior appearance of the building with landscaping. Each unit will be customized for student living with wiring for computer use. The laundry room will be modified for their use as well as the back patio for student gathering, networking and enjoyment.
HRC and LBCC has held several orientations and student selection is under way for participation in the C2C Program. Those selected will be HRC clients who have a desire to be successfully employed after completing a post-secondary education program and who have an interest in participating alongside students without disabilities in academic activities, internships, or work-based training program.
This blog will serve as a documentary of the renovation of the project so all participants can watch the progress of our new C2C housing.
