'Community creates opportunities': Organization for adults with special needs introduces 'Life Academy'
OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Journey21 has grown substantially since its humble beginning seven years ago.
"We use the phrase 'community creates opportunities.' We're building a community within the community," said executive director, Mike Brauer.
The organization for adults with special needs now operates out of a 10,000 sq. ft. building in Oconomowoc, called the Enrichment Center, which officially opened in April 2023.
"The Enrichment Center is really a manifestation of the mission coming to life in one location," Brauer said.
With special classrooms, a multipurpose room, and an outdoor patio, the center provides a space for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive.
"Currently, we serve about 190 people through our programs and outings, and our different academies," Brauer said.
Journey21 provides several day programs, serving people from 5 counties.
Their newest program, Life Academy, began in September.
"The Life Academy is a two-year college program that we developed in order to help our adults become independent and self-sufficient," said program director, Heidi Hamilton.
Hamilton created Life Academy to help those with special needs after they graduate high school, which can often be a difficult transition for the students and their families.
"It's preparing them for life, and being part of the workforce, and living within the community," Hamilton said.
They learn daily living skills and money management, with classes held at the Enrichment Center and at Waukesha Community Technical College.
"This partnership just fulfills that college experience for our adults, and makes them feel a part of something bigger," Hamilton said.
The most exciting part for the students: internships.
Through Life Academy, each student will complete 4 internships.
"Keeping people busy in a job is not what we're about. We're about getting them in touch with what they really get excited about. Where's their passion," Brauer said.
Journey21 partners with businesses in the lake country area to fulfill the internships, encouraging the students to do work they enjoy.
"Hopefully they find out what it is they truly want to do based on their strengths, and then be gainfully employed, and living on their own," Hamilton said.
Hannah Olsen is one of 13 students taking part in Life Academy.
She's completing an internship at Birch & Banyan coffee shop in Hartland.
"One thing that's been fun for us to learn also is kind of her strengths and weaknesses, and it'll be different with every single student," said the owner, Jessie Puzach.
Before the Enrichment Center opened, Journey21 would hold meetings at the shop.
Puzach says its special to see their relationship come full-circle.
"She's so happy and this is making her day, and that in turn makes all of our day," Puzach said.
The experience has been especially comforting for Hannah's mother, Monique Olsen.
"She's motivated and she's excited about work, and she's excited about being in her college - her type of college," Olsen said.
She hopes Hannah will eventually make choices on her own, and she says Hannah has the same goal.
"The more independent she can become, and that's what journey21 offers, the more meaningful it will be for her," Olsen said. "I don't want it to be my purpose for her, it needs to be her purpose for her."
Soon, Journey 21 will run two Life Academy sessions at once, serving 28 students per semester.
Hamilton says so far, it's been a success.
"The pure joy on their faces says it all," Hamilton said.
"The people that are in our programs certainly have disabilities. They have limitations. It's our preference to think about them in terms of the abilities that they have," Brauer said.
The program's uniqueness has drawn interest across Wisconsin, and in other states.
Hamilton hopes to see more community integration for adults with special needs.
"This is such an underserved population, that they need these types of programs, opportunities, internships. It should be all over the United States," Hamilton said.