Although New Beginnings for Life LLC is not an academic school, we do have an extensive life skills program. The following is a list of offerings currently in place. If your son or daughter has a special need beyond those listed, please feel free to discuss that with us. Every effort will be made to accommodate his or her need within our means.
Reading Comprehension
Reading is of the utmost importance in daily life. I have found that many young adults do not like to read because they either don’t have an interest in the reading material, or they don’t comprehend what they are reading. It is not enough to read an article, book, or other publication if you don’t recall what you have read. We will work as a group, reading a variety of materials, from daily newspapers, magazines and grocery store fliers to books - and even reading labels in grocery stores. Opportunities for reading happen everywhere. Furthermore, using a variety of learning methods like reading out loud, silent reading, role-playing, verbal testing, written testing, to book reports, we will explore several avenues to reading comprehension. Learning need not be painful, so in my classes we try to have fun while learning to understand what we just read.
Sign Language
Sign language will be offered to those who have an interest working with the hearing -impaired, or for those who want to learn it for the enjoyment of learning the language. This class will more than prepare your son or daughter for a college course, and is an asset to anyone wishing to pursue a job with people with special needs. It is a beautiful language, and very much in demand on the job market.
Banking skills
- Check writing
- Deposits
- Savings accounts
- Balancing statements
- Using a calculator
- Financial responsibilities
As soon as your son or daughter has a minimum of $50.00 saved or earned, he or she will be taken to the bank to open a checking account, and later a savings account. All residents will be required to maintain this account in good standing. Knowledge of using a calculator and basic writing skills will be emphasized in this course of study. Residents will learn how to make deposits and withdrawals, write checks and balance the monthly statement. We prefer to use checking accounts to having the residents keep large amounts of cash. As things progress, the option to learn on-line banking will become available should they wish to go in this direction. They will have daily (except Sunday), bank access to their money for spending purposes, and eventually they may hold an ATM card. Financial responsibility is not to be taken for granted, and the degree of freedom will depend on how responsibly they conduct themselves.
Cooking, Menu Planning, Nutrition - Menu planning
- Store sales
- Nutritional needs
- Recipe reading
- Learning measurements
- Grocery shopping
- Proper food storage
- Meal preparation
- Setting the table
- Clean up
Each resident will be assigned certain tasks for the week, from cooking the dinnertime meal, to menu planning to nutrition, residents will learn all these basic skills. If it is your assigned day, you and your housemate will cook the evening meal, start to finish. The meal to be cooked will be decided ahead of time, based on the menu planned for that night. Residents will be taught how to look for sale items, clip coupons, and plan the upcoming week's menu. Nutrition will be stressed, and junk foods will not be provided as part of the regular food offerings. Residents can always purchase their own choice of snacks with their own money as they shop. We will offer healthy meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and home- baked deserts and breads. Baking of deserts and breads will be taught, and done on a regular basis. Clean up of the dishes, cookware, and kitchen will also be taught. Mealtime will be family -style alternating between houses. Family-style dinning will also set the ground for table discussions of the day’s events, and future events. This will provide a good time to talk about any problems that are happening and practice good communication skills. Everyone will be treated with equal respect in return for respecting others. We will make every effort to support a family atmosphere. In today’s busy society, many households have lost the “dinner time experience”, and we hope to stress its importance.
Spiritual and Religious GrowthAttendance at religious services is a matter of personal choice. If a resident would like to attend a service, we will make every effort to provide transportation, and support them with their spiritual growth.
Gardening and Yard Work
In the Spring, we will be doing yard work and preparing to make a garden. Both vegetable and flower gardens are planned, and the residents will learn how to cultivate the ground, plant seeds and young plants, and do yard maintenance to include tree pruning and lawn mowing, weeding and watering.
Academic Support
Should your son or daughter decide to attend classes at one of the local community colleges, we will support them with their studies, as well as provide transportation to and from school. Often times, a student needs structured study time and help understanding their assignments. We will be able to provide that level of support.
Job Coaching and Support
- Locate a suitable work or intern program
- Provide transportation
- Maintain a close network with the potential employer
We will make every effort to help your son or daughter find a job. Working with the Bureau of Rehab Services, and other service departments dedicated to helping the disabled adult, we strive to find appropriate gainful employment. If job coaching is required, we will supply that as well, until he or she is competent in the tasks needed. We make no guarantees as to how successful your son or daughter becomes with the work, as only they can determine the degree of effort demonstrated.
Sewing-basic
- Hand sewing
- Machine sewing
- Clothing repair
- Alterations
Sewing skills will be taught in the areas of mending and minor alterations. Many times I have seen young people throw out good, usable clothing because it was missing a button, or a seam came open, or perhaps they lost some weight and needed the clothing taken in. Students will learn to sew basic steps on a sewing machine, as well as hand sewing.
Respecting our Environment
Residents will learn the importance of recycling and respecting our environment. Recycling will be done at both houses daily. Each resident will also be required to participate in at least one community service clean-up project every six months. Learning to give back to the earth, as well as to their community goes hand in hand.
Art/ crafts
- Create good leisure activities
- Learn new skills
- Relax and have fun
Arts and crafts will be offered as a leisure activity, rather than a formal class. It will include a number of different media that may require residents to purchase supplies. Some areas I have already targeted are: quilting, jewelry making, scrap booking, painting, candy making and baking for special occasions. If students have a particular talent or enjoy a particular craft, it will be encouraged and offered to others. In some cases, someone may have a talent they wish to teach to others. This is also very much encouraged. Physical Ed
- Gym membership
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Hiking
- Horseshoes
There is a local gym where your son or daughter may sign up for membership. Fees are set by the gym, and are separate from any tuition paid to New Beginnings For Life LLC. Transportation will be provided. We also have access to two swimming pools and an outdoor hot tub that we may use at any time. We also plan to install a half court basketball court, and set up volleyball for ongoing play, as well as horseshoes. We are very closely located to three state parks that offer countless trails for hiking, and another for biking. We have enjoyed snow skiing and snow boarding in the past, and plan to go again this year if there is interest. We are also near to sliding hills for those who enjoy the snow, but do not ski or board. This part of Connecticut is also considered “horse country”, due to the numerous horse farms and stables. Riding for the experienced rider or lessons for the beginner can all be purchased at a variety of levels. We also have a stable in a near by town that offers “Therapeutic Riding” for those who may not feel comfortable at first. Rates are available upon request.
BE YOUR B.E.S.T
Boundries/Equality/Self-Respect/Talking
Kelly Zeitlin will be offering highly interactive classes, presented through a structured open descussion format, in a non-judgemental environment, where individual questions and input are respected and encouraged.
Each topic will be a three week session with participation in discussion. Role playing, Self expressive art, and concluding with a review representing understanding and interpretation of material.
Each participant attending all three classes of each session will be awarded a certificate of completion handed out at an accomplishment ceremony.