Mendonoma Businesses Mentoring Students Since 1990 from Warren Galletti, Point Arena Schools Superintendent
Jaime Fuentes is a volunteer firefighter with the Redwood Coast Fire Fighters. Most Wednesdays, he mentors a PAHS WorkAbility I student. “I’ve seen his excitement in wanting to learn,” said Fuentes.
This is the first year Redwood Coast Fire Fighters has participated in the WorkAbility I program. “I talked to Fire Chief Mike Suddith who said we’d do it again next school year, if there’s a need,” said Fuentes.
Eight PAHS students, all juniors and seniors, currently work in the Mendonoma community to learn the soft skills required to find and keep employment after high school.
The WorkAbility I program is funded through the California Department of Education. It provides paid, work-based learning experience to a maximum of 150 hours/school year for students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
The WorkAbility program has a long history in the Mendonoma community. Point Arena resident and ex-Point Arena School Board president Vikki Robinson ran the program for 23 years — from 1990 until she retired from the school district in December 2013.
“Without the support and dedication of many in the community, there wouldn’t have been a program,” said Robinson. “Life and job skills are critical to our students and to the community’s future.”
Phyllis Wade succeeded Robinson as WorkAbility I Coordinator in 2014. Robinson said, “Phyllis expanded the program by reaching out and placing students in a greater number of off-site businesses.“
Local businesses participating in the program, both past and current, include: Arena Market, Rollerville Café, Roots Apothecary, KGUA Radio Station, Equinox, Gualala Supermarket, Arena Theatre, Oz Farm, Sea Ranch Supply, Rumors All About Hair, Chowder House & Tap Room, Casari Ranch, Far West Martial Arts, and the Redwood Coast Fire Fighters.
Wade began working part-time as a supplemental aide at Point Arena High School in 1994 — making her the second longest serving employee of the school. Her current title is Instructional Specialist.
Wade’s WorkAbility I curriculum helps students with disabilities further explore career options and learn skills necessary to be successful in their transition into adult life. She teaches workplace readiness training and takes responsibility for the on-site supervision of the student.
One participating business is Rumors All About Hair in Gualala. The salon’s owner and manager, Christina Peterson, mentors two WorkAbility I students Tuesdays thru Fridays mornings. Both students plan to attend cosmetology college in September.
Peterson has introduced her mentees to the cosmetology profession by beginning with the basics: where things go, sanitation, clean up, and customer service. She has taught them to cut the aluminum foil for highlights, how to braid on manikin heads, and which high-end products have value. Both students have begun talking with Peterson’s clients, a skill Peterson says will help prepare them for real life positions.
“I’m doing something I love,” said one of her mentees. “I’ve wanted to be a cosmetologist since I was seven years old!"
WorkAbility I pairs with the the Mendocino County Transition Partnership Program (TPP), a collaborative program with Mendocino County Office of Education/SELPA, Point Arena Joint Union High School District, and the Department of Rehabilitation (DoR). TPP also serves students with disabilities during their last two years of school.
PAHS Special Education teacher, Teppi Cantin, runs the TPP program. She said of Wade’s program, "I love the WorkAbility I program because our kids get a chance to work in our community. They begin to prepare for real life.”
If you are interested in becoming a community partner with WorkAbility/TPP, please contact Phyllis Wade or Teppi Cantin at (707) 882-2134.
