Community Service Project during Orientation
Free Time with Mentors
Health and Wellness Activities
Health and Wellness with Physical Therapy Students
Playing Apples to Apples with Mentors
The Life Prep Students
LifePrep@Naz is a new and innovative program designed to provide individuals with disabilities with an opportunity to go to college. This program is created through the collaborative relationship among Nazareth College, Victor Central School District, and The Arc of Monroe County.
The design of the LifePrep@Naz program stems from the overall goal of providing individuals ages 18 years + a similar-aged learning community that allows for the transformation of individuals with disabilities from high school students to self-determined, competitively employed, contributors in our society. LifePrep@Naz is designed to prepare students for success, not only in the classroom, but also at college gathering places, competitive work placements, and for life in the community following completion of the college experience.
Nazareth students, through work study, volunteering, service-learning as well as internship and practicum placements will act as mentors to the LifePrep students. The mentors will assist and support LifePrep students in their LifePrep and Nazareth classes, accompany them to lunch and to any campus evening activities that the group plans. Faculty also have the opportunity to participate by offering guest seats in their classes to interested LifePrep students.
Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
The 5 Duties of a LifePrep@Naz Mentor
1. Nazareth class Ambassador:
- Educating LPS on the campus
- Where to find what's on campus
- The ins and outs of the buildings
- Questions and concerns about classes/campus
2. Class Aide:
- Walk to class with the LPS
- Assist with best seating arrangement in class for the LPS
- Help get books organized
- Understand syllabi layout
- Remind to write down assignments in planner
- Assist in taking notes if need be
3. Study Partner:
- Share study strategies
- Assist with organization of assignments
- Provide positive feedback
- Share tips for effective studying (where, when, how)
4. Social Buddy:
- Introduce to other Naz students/friends of yours
- Attend/Invite them to a club meeting with you
- Go to a Naz sporting event or Arts center event with them
- Exchange phone numbers in case of questions
5. Job Coach:
- Walk to their VOC. location with them
- See if they have any questions/concerns
- Debrief after shift
- Ask them to share with you what they did that day
Resources
Interviews with LifePrep Students
What's Your Favorite part about being a Naz student?
RC: All the different stuff we do, everyone is very friendly.
Laura: Lots and lots of independence, being able to choose what I want to do.
Katie S.: I think it's really great. I love my Naz class and getting to hang out with other students.
What clubs are you involved in here at Naz?
RC: None right now. I would like to be in the video game society but they meet after I leave campus.
Katie S: Not any right now because a lot of them are on weekends and I'm not here.
What's your favorite part about having a mentor?
RC: They are very helpful and a lot of fun. She helps with my homework and notes in class.
Laura: They help me with my homework and go to class with me- it's a lot of fun.
Katie S.: Spending time with her. She's able to take notes for me. I really enjoy going to class with her.
What's your favorite part about the Life Prep program?
RC: It's very active, we never have to just sit around and listen all day. I like Professor M's class the best (LCE-Life Centered Experience).
Laura: The social interaction. I enjoy hanging out with other LifePrep students, especially David.
Katie S.: My job- I work in the bookstore. I really like helping them get ready for the holidays.
What would you like to change about the program?
RC: Being able to do clubs and other activities during our free time and not after we've already left.
Laura: Being able to go to class by myself.
Katie S.: More jobs to pick from next semester.
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