Success Stories

Living on my Own

My name is Christina. I graduated from the College Experience Program in 2010.

I still live in Albany, NY. I moved into an apartment with Living Resources Supportive Living. I love having my own apartment! I have people over to visit a lot. One day, I'd like to get a bigger place to live because I have a lot of stuff and I'd like a roommate to share my place with. I like to go to the mall and the movies in my free time. The CEP helped me learn how to take the bus to get there.

I work part time in the deli at Price Chopper. I put together pizza boxes and salad containers. I put the pizza toppings in containers, too. I love working at Price Chopper, I hope to work there for a long time! I also go to day program part time with Living Resources. We go out to many places for volunteering and classes.

The College Experience Program helped me learn how to live on my own and speak up for myself. I loved going to CEP classes. Computer Applications was my favorite class. Right now, I am working on how to be healthier. Staff helps me make good food choices and I take an exercise class at Saint Rose. I'm also learning to be more organized.

I am so proud that I went to college!

 

 

 

Becoming More Independent

I am Josh and I graduated from the College Experience Program in 2010. I'm really proud of graduating.

My favorite part of the College Experience Program was the classes. American Political Culture was the best because I like learning about history and politics.

I love working as a custodian. I've been a janitor at Mohonason High School and at the College of Saint Rose. I love cleaning and making things nice for other people. I work at Albany Med now.

I live in an apartment with my roommate Joe, he graduated from the CEP too. I hope to live here for a long time. For fun we go bowling, to the mall and to bingo night at the local temple.

I'm working on being a better cook and making sure all my laundry gets done. The College Experience Program really helped me to be more independent. I love to take the bus now. I'm learning new bus routes all the time.

 

 

 

My Life After the CEP

I graduated from the College of Saint Rose in the College Experience Program on May of 2009. After that I went on to the supportive living where we are a little bit more free and independent. I live alone in my apartment in Albany. I very much enjoy living alone; it's nice, peaceful and quiet and I like that.

I am working at St. Peter's Hospital. I am an intern in the Medical Records Department. I am a file clerk. I like my job and I really like my co- workers and supervisor. They are very nice to me, but I am going to miss them when my internship is up. I have to leave St. Peter's Hospital and find a new job soon. My job interests are Sign Language or working at a Nursing Home instead of a hospital.

The CEP helped me become much more prepared for independence after college and become braver. I have learned many skills like cooking and time management. I really enjoyed getting to know the community and going to events such as basketball games, concerts, plays, dances and Best Buddies events. My favorite event was the St. Rose Music Awards; that was fun to go see. Saint Rose has some awesome performers.

My goal for at least the near future is to find a job that I love and that I'm passionate about. For awhile longer I'd like to keep living where I'm at because I'm very happy here. I have a pet Beta fish and his name is Prince Flounder. I call him Flounder for short and I would also like to own a dog someday too.

 

Expanding My Horizons

I, Christina, am a twenty-eight year old woman with a mild learning disability. I am a graduate from the College Experience Program. I was one of the four young women that got accepted in the second class in the fall of 2006 and I graduated successfully in May of 2008. During my two years at Saint Rose, I have blossomed and grown into a caring, mature adult woman. I was trained to take care of myself in all areas of my life.

I have learned how to budget my money properly and to get all of my bills paid on time. Within the last year or so I have really taken cooking into a regular hobby of mine. I really do enjoy cooking meals and being a good hostess when I have guests come over. I've noticed a big difference in what I am cooking now in comparison to what I was cooking before when I was first learning.

I now can say that I am experienced with living on my own and taking care of myself fully, independently and financially. I have learned to adapt to the many changes I have made in my life, yet I am aware of whatever challenges lie ahead. This past year has been amazing for me. I have FINALLY passed the written test for my permit. I now have my learner's permit and I am not far from achieving my license! I looked into getting enrolled into driving lessons on my own and I've been taking driving lessons since February. I was able to parallel park on my first try! I will be taking the road test very soon! I have a new boyfriend, and recently we planned our first vacation together to New Hampshire and Maine.

I now successfully hold down two jobs!