Experiential Learning

Runs a year-long Employment Training Program offering paid internships with wage subsidies from OPWDD and job coaching support to help participants secure job placements, as well as supported employment services that provide ongoing liaison between employee and employer.

Administers the Career Discovery Project, which places blind or low-vision high school students in supported, extended internships at cultural and community organizations in New York City, such as Rocking the Boat, to gain work experience and build vocational skills.

Provides instruction in essential life skills including money management, personal hygiene, and safety to promote independence among participants with disabilities.

Provides one-on-one mentorship through Community Habilitation programs, pairing participants with Direct Support Professionals or mentors to achieve participant- and parent-defined goals in areas such as community navigation, money management, and socialization.

Provides community-based day habilitation services for adults aged 21 and older on Staten Island, operating Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm. Services focus on developing artistic, daily living, academic, socialization, communication, and vocational skills, with door-to-door transportation provided.

Provides monthly weekend recreation respite and occasional overnight site-based respite trips for adults aged 21 and older, as well as short-term respite programs for youth aged 14–21 during school holidays and summer, operating 5–10 days annually in Brooklyn and Staten Island with door-to-door transportation.

Offers structured programs including Pathway to Employment and SEMP that provide career planning, job readiness training (e.g., resume building, interviewing, travel training), job coaching, and volunteer-based work experiences to develop employment skills for youth and adults with disabilities.

Offers a range of recreational programs including art, music, picnics, sports, fitness, and special events such as holiday talent shows, gingerbread contests, flea markets, and the annual Beeping Egg Hunt to promote socialization, community engagement, and pride.

Provides hands-on, lab-based education in in-demand fields including Business Accounting, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, Electrical Assistant, HVAC, and Introduction to Plumbing. Programs combine theoretical instruction with practical skill development to prepare students for employment and professional licensure.

Provides career guidance, employer connections, and internship opportunities to help graduates secure employment. Reports that over 70% of graduates obtain field-related jobs within 180 days, with 78% of completers employed in their field.

Provides full-time and part-time training programs with specific durations and schedules, including a 1500-hour Medical Office Assistant program (15 months), a 960-hour Medical Assistant program (32 weeks), a 1000-hour Cosmetology program, a 600-hour Esthetics program, and an 8-month day or 12-month evening Electrical Assistant & HVAC program.

Integrates exam preparation into curricula, particularly in Cosmetology and Medical Assisting programs, with hands-on training and problem-solving exercises designed to support success on state and professional licensing exams.

Offers students access to professional labs, workshops, salons, and spa settings for hands-on practice across programs. Includes simulated client experiences in an in-school salon and real-world tool training in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC workshops.

Provides personalized admission support, including program selection, scheduling assistance, financial aid guidance, and veteran-specific resources. Offers virtual campus tours and a step-by-step enrollment process to support prospective students.

Conducts admissions interviews, enrolls students as young as 16.5 years old with appropriate release, and allows transfer of instructional hours or advanced standing based on demonstrated proficiency from other accredited trade schools.

Provides 900-hour certificate programs in skilled trades including automotive technology, HVAC refrigeration, electrical, welding, construction, and plumbing, with at least 50% of training conducted in shop settings using industry tools and equipment. Programs can be completed in as little as 7 months and are offered full-time or part-time, with classes conducted in person or via distance learning.

Operates a 75,000-square-foot training facility in Long Island City, Queens, and a satellite campus in Manhattan, both accessible to persons with disabilities, to deliver vocational programs.

Provides job placement assistance to students who complete vocational training programs, supporting entry into skilled trades careers.