Have you ever thought what it would be like to be whisked from Kansas and suddenly live in a world where you are now expected to do things you’ve never done before?
It is probably a little like leaving a long term secure facility and finding yourself in a place where you have to rely on yourself and whatever skills you have gleaned along the way.
At Decker, we want our boys ready to face not only the sociological and psychological challenges of returning home, but also prepared to take on the practical responsibilities of getting a job, managing money, preparing for adulthood.
Through the work of Ben, one of our favorite counselors, our boys are receiving training and earning certificates for future work opportunities–food handler permits to OSHA training to fire extinguishers, to defensive driving, first aid/CPR/AED.
Training and certificates are only half the battle. In Todd’s math class, the boys are learning the practicalities of life, from how to buy a car, filling out a job application, writing resumes, job searches, budgeting, and saving money.
With the trade classes and real life skill building, our boys will be ready for life outside the school.
Todd, Decker Lake’s math teacher, explains the finer points of buying a car
Ben, who is the DLYC training coordinator, explains, “Our objective is to enhance their marketability in the job market. Education is pivotal, but skills are essential.”
Matt Kerr of the Utah Safety Council conducts a class
in OSHA regulations to Decker residents
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