Transition program Archives

Craig Parr is a tall, strapping young man with a smile as big as his heart. On this day he sits next to his mom Theresa, with his arm around her, as he patiently poses for photos and answers questions. He’s a little nervous at all the attention, though, and his mom quietly reminds him to relax. He responds with a smile and a kiss on her cheek.

Teresa and Craig

At 18 years old, Craig attends high school and is taking a course on small engine repair at Francis Tuttle. His relationship with DRTC began at Camp Tumbleweed, which he attended for three summers. The Camp’s grounds are on the DRTC campus. Campers, aged 14-21, have fun, work on self-advocacy skills, enjoy arts & crafts and take a variety of field trips. Craig’s favorite? “Harkins Theatre,” he says unequivocally. Equally unwavering is his popcorn preference. “Salt and butter,” he says.

In addition to Camp Tumbleweed, Craig participated in DRTC’s Transition School-To-Work program, which was the next step in his school’s special ed program. He’s proud to announce that he’s just gotten his learner’s permit, which his mom acknowledges like all moms do, with a slightly nervous smile.

“Craig’s self-advocacy has really become stronger since he’s been a part of DRTC,” Teresa says. “The training here really encourages them to tell someone when something isn’t right and how to (act) at a job. He’s made so many friends. He loves everyone, and he loves being here.”

This is Craig’s senior year, and one of the highlights of high school has been his career with ROTC. He’s an officer and a member of the Color Guard. “I like ROTC. We get to do fun things,” he says. His training shows. Craig is a confident, polite young man with a great sense of humor. Bowling with the Special Olympics in a special needs league is another favorite pastime, and he also likes to volunteer with other nonprofit organizations through DRTC.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

On a busy work floor, Natjun takes stock of his surroundings. One wrong move could lead to serious injury as he meticulously positions his pallet jack to a flat of completed projects on the Vocational Services floor at Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC).

Avoiding any injury to himself or others, Natjun moves the pallet out from the others, sets it down and then gets to work with stretch wrap to ensure the products stay together during transport.

“I’m about to wrap these boxes… and then I take the jack and what I do is put them back over there with the rest of these.”

Natjun, a senior at John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City, is taking part in the Warehouse Assistant program learning the basic operations of warehouse work.

But before he got to this point, there was a very important lesson to learn first: safety.

“That’s the first aspect we go through out in the warehouse training is emphasizing, more than anything, the need to be aware,” said Danny, DRTC Warehouse Manager, “and to know what you’re doing when you’re operating this heavy equipment and being aware of other people.”

Natjun moves a pallet in DRTC’s Vocational Services Building.

Natjun can navigate a fully stacked pallet with ease while ensuring the safety of others on the work floor and in the warehouse.

“If someone was (standing) there and I didn’t see them, I might hurt them,” added Natjun.

As part of the Warehouse Assistant program, he is also learning invaluable communication skills. Natjun and other DRTC employees deliver various products and speak with customers.

“We go out and greet people and take stuff, basically.”

He admits he was nervous at first, but now he’s settling in. Danny has noticed Natjun’s growth as well.

Danny, left, and Natjun, right, work together to move a pallet.

“Pretty much now I can set him on a project and turn around,” said Danny.

Natjun has had plenty of experience learning and working at Dale Rogers Training Center. He is part of DRTC’s Transition School-to-Work Program where students travel to various businesses, learn new skills and how to act on the job among other employability lessons.

The Transition Program is where he learned what he wants to do after high school.

“Horticulture,” Natjun said with a smile. “I love the outdoors. Outdoors is like the best thing in the world.”

Natjun will continue developing his skills at DRTC and is on track to graduate in May 2016. He’s also planning on attending this year’s Camp Tumbleweed— DRTC’s summer camp for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.

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Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org

Tag: Transition program

Success stories: Craig

Assistant in training

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