MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Marquette-Alger RESA’s transitions students and teachers have spent months preparing for their first Holiday Market at St. Michaels church.
Now this week, not only did the students help make the products, but they’re also helping sell them. “I’m really enjoying it. It’s gone so far good,” said Mikayla Bullock one of the students. “I’ve been on the cash register for half the time right now.”
The teachers say opportunities like the market help teach valuable skills. “The students are working of course on social skills and answering questions from the public about their products that they’ve made,” said Jessica Larson, one of the transitions teachers. “Of course there’s money handling skills also.”
“We’re showing the community, we’re here, we’ve got hard workers,” said Dawn Broxholm-Pape, also teacher. “We’ve got capable people doing a lot of great things.”
The sale also helps fund community based instructions programs for the students. “With transitions we’re working with students 18-26, really working on independent living skills, community skills, social skills” said Transitions Teacher Kelsey Nordengren. “So, it helps us get out into the community to practice maybe restaurant skills, or waiting in line at a grocery store, or looking for list items at a grocery store outing.”
The students are happy to be involved. “I’m more artsy with my hands, I like to do art,” said Bullock. “So it’s something that we can do with our hands.”
The market continues at St. Michaels church on Tuesday and Wednesday.
