Courtesy Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo
2018 REACH graduates.
Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo, vice president of Chapel Haven’s admissions and marketing, sent in the following article.
The REACH class of 2018 has a special place in Chapel Haven history.
In the REACH (Residential Education at Chapel Haven) program, adults 18 and older with mild developmental disabilities and autism live in apartment-style housing in an intensive 24-month residential life skills program on the Chapel Haven campus. And the 2018 class is the last class to occupy the red-brick REACH residential building that has anchored the Chapel Haven campus since 1976.
Starting in July, REACH students will occupy a brand new REACH residential and classroom facility nearing completion on the Chapel Haven campus as part of a major expansion. Commencement was held June 15 at Chapel Haven’s 1040 Whalley Ave. campus. (Read about the groundbreaking on the new welcome center and construction to come at the Westville campus here.)
Chapel Haven President Michael Storz said getting to the point of wearing the graduation caps took two years of hard work.
“It took amazing courage for these individuals to leave home and come to Chapel Haven to begin learning independence,” he said. “From money management and cooking to learning how to take public transportation, they have passed Life 101 with flying colors.
“I am so proud that our campus expansion means that Chapel Haven will be here for all of our adults for a lifetime,” he added.
REACH participants learn to negotiate all aspects of independent living while enjoying a state-approved education program and a nationally accredited transitional living program. Upon graduation, they can choose whether to continue living in the area and receive continued support from Chapel Haven.
Ranging in age from 18 to 26 and hailing from all over the country, the graduates donned bright blue graduation caps and gowns and enjoyed remarks and a traditional procession.
Laurie Sperry, a consultant to Chapel Haven and an internationally renowned autism expert provided the keynote remarks. Sperry is a board certified behavior analyst and an assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine. She has served as a special interest group chairwoman at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) providing mentoring and leadership in the field of criminality and autism spectrum disorder.
Sperry has provided training to secure forensic psychiatric facility staff in England and presented at the International Conference for Offenders with Disabilities.
The graduates also heard from Dr. Jules Landwirth, a retired physician who teaches a popular current events class at Chapel Haven.
Chapel Haven was founded in 1972 and provides a lifelong program of individualized support services for adults with cognitive and social disabilities, enabling them to live independent and productive lives.