“Dear PoPville,
I have been working with children with autism for 20 years and am currently the principal at a nonpublic special education school in Maryland, which is a school for children with special needs. As the principal, I directly oversee the autism program which has students between the ages of 5-21. While the various special needs school programs are incredible, I have witnessed time and again the difficulties my students face after aging out of the school system. They are wonderful people who I know could and would be valuable contributors to society if given the opportunity, but the lack of vocational training is limiting opportunities and preventing them from realizing their potential.
Through Independent Grounds, I hope to address this need by providing vocational training in a nurturing and tolerant environment (similar to what I’ve been able to create in my school). My ultimate goal is to help people with special needs obtain the support and training they need to lead successful and fulfilling lives after aging out of the school system. I also hope we will raise public awareness of these challenges and help overcoming stigmas associated with people with special needs.”
Independent Grounds’ website says:
“Independent Grounds Coffee House will enroll students in a program that provides a structured training curriculum. This program will cater towards the vocational and social skills required for finding and keeping long-term employment. Independent Grounds will be a fully functioning coffee shop, and is created specifically to be a vocational work-study program for adolescents with developmental disabilities living in Washington, DC and the surrounding areas. Students will have an opportunity to come in for 2-hour work shifts several days a week as a part of their high school vocational training. Work training programs will be developed based on the needs of each student.”
If you’d like to learn more and/or get involved you can do so here. Updates when they find a space.
Recent Stories
From WMATA: “Today, Metro’s Board of Directors approved a $4.8 billion capital and operating budget which largely maintains bus and rail service levels when the new budget year begins on…
You know her from The West Wing, Inventing Anna, and Nurse Jackie. Now you can see award-winning actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith up close and personal at the National…
3207 O Street, NW closed since a fire back in 2018. Thanks to Mike from Wingo’s for sending: “finally after almost 6 years we opened April 15. It’s great to…
Thanks to Dan for sending from Adams Morgan. Check out the agility:
For many remote workers, a messy home is distracting.
You’re getting pulled into meetings, and your unread emails keep ticking up. But you can’t focus because pet hair tumbleweeds keep floating across the floor, your desk has a fine layer of dust and you keep your video off in meetings so no one sees the chaos behind you.
It’s no secret a dirty home is distracting and even adds stress to your life. And who has the energy to clean after work? That’s why it’s smart to enlist the help of professionals, like Well-Paid Maids.
Unlock Peace of Mind for Your Family! Join our FREE Estate Planning Webinar for Parents.
🗓️ Date: April 25, 2024
🕗 Time: 8:00 p.m.
Metropolitan Beer Trail Passport
The Metropolitan Beer Trail free passport links 11 of Washington, DC’s most popular local craft breweries and bars. Starting on April 27 – December 31, 2024, Metropolitan Beer Trail passport holders will earn 100 points when checking in at the
DC Day of Archaeology Festival
The annual DC Day of Archaeology Festival gathers archaeologists from Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia together to talk about our local history and heritage. Talk to archaeologists in person and learn more about archaeological science and the past of our
