By Cherry Dumaual

NEW FAIRFIELD – Research shows that many high school seniors are uncertain about their future educational and career paths upon graduation. The second annual 2023 Post-Graduation Readiness Report by YouScience®, a leading technology provider focused on addressing the skills gap for students and employers, found that nearly one-third (31%) of the class of 2023 felt unsure about their education or career trajectory. Among those who graduated between 2020 and 2022, 34% expressed similar uncertainty.

This uncertainty can stem from various factors, including the pressure to make life-altering decisions at a young age, limited exposure to career options, and the rapidly changing job market. If this is the case for general education students, consider how much more challenging it must be for students with special needs to make career decisions.

To support these young adults (ages 18–22), New Fairfield Public Schools offers a transition program called STRIDES (Striving to Reach Individual & Diverse Educational Success). The program focuses on developing real-world skills that promote independence, including vocational training, daily living skills, and community engagement.

Launched in 2021, STRIDES serves students who have completed high school but choose to continue receiving special education services through the public school district to help them transition into adulthood. Since transition services are mandated by the state, the New Fairfield school district is responsible for providing this specialized education to eligible students.

Newtown Public Schools runs Newtown Community Partnership (NCP) and New Fairfield has the STRIDES program. They operate separately but share a space, fostering collaboration and creating a mutually beneficial environment for both programs. By forming this partnership, the two communities have established a cooperative model, pooling resources to provide a larger space that accommodates both programs. “This partnership has expanded the variety of job site opportunities available to students from both towns, enhancing their work experiences and social opportunities,” said Ms. Michelle Demeyer, Special Education Department Chair for the Secondary Level at New Fairfield Public Schools.

What Makes STRIDES Unique

When asked what sets STRIDES apart from other transition programs, Ms. Demeyer emphasized its individualized approach. “Each participant receives personalized support tailored to their strengths, needs, and goals,” she explained.

Another key differentiator is its location. “Being in downtown Danbury and in Newtown provides unparalleled access to public transportation, local businesses, and community resources. This allows participants to practice real-world skills in a dynamic and supportive environment,” Ms. Demeyer said. “Through hands-on learning and community partnerships, STRIDES empowers young adults to build confidence and independence as they transition into adulthood.”

Students Thrive with STRIDES

Ms. Demeyer highlighted several success stories of students who have benefited from the program. “One former student took classes at a local community college while in STRIDES, worked with us for a couple of years to build confidence and employability skills, and then moved on to a trade-specific program for further training,” she shared. Another student secu red a retail job while in STRIDES and continued working there successfully after transitioning out of the program. Additionally, one current participant has earned approximately 20 college credits while enrolled in STRIDES, demonstrating that students can pursue higher education while simultaneously developing essential life and job skills.

Students Share How STRIDES Helps Them Gain Real-World Experience

To learn how STRIDES is guiding special-needs students toward independence and building their confidence to take meaningful steps toward their future, this Town Tribune reporter asked them the following questions. Here are the collective responses of six students.

1. What are the three most valuable lessons you’ve learned from STRIDES, and why do they matter to you?

● The most valuable lessons I have learned through the STRIDES program is teamwork and without teamwork it would be hard to complete some of the tasks at the worksites.

● Another valuable lesson is accountability of having appropriate work uniform, being on time and job skills.

● We set timers so that we can keep track of time and be independent.

● Communication is another skill we have learned. We have to communicate with our supervisors at job sites, our teachers and our peers.

● The lessons matter to us because we will need to apply these lessons throughout our life and when we live on our own.

2. What is a typical day in the STRIDES program l ike for you?

● It varies from person to person.

● Some individuals are at college, some are at worksites and it has changed throughout the years. Every day in the program is different for each student.

● Each day typically includes work, college or hands-on experiences.

● We also plan, prepare and eat lunches. We also reflect at the end of the day on how our days went.

3. How have you grown personally or socially through STRIDES?

● We have made new friends within the program and have met a variety of new people. We have made connections with people in the community.

● I am improving my social skills in different aspects of my life such as taking phone calls, going to the store independently and learning about the value of money by having the opportunity to be in the community.

● I have become comfortable with asking for help when I need it. I am becoming better at problem solving as well.

4. Can you share a specific moment when you felt especially proud of what you accomplished in the program?

● We are pr

oud because we get started with work immediately without being asked to start working.

● I feel proud when we are helping our community and other people are experiencing our help.

● I felt proud when I volunteered at the nursing home and was able to help the elderly.

5. How has working with students from another district affected your experience?

● I think it improved my experience because it broadened my social experiences and skills.

● Sometimes I do feel overwhelmed when there are a lot of other individuals in the space but that is something I am working on.

● We are learning how to work with different people since we share job sites with other students from another district.

● We are working on communication skills because we have to inform one another of tasks that have been completed and tasks that still need to be done.

6. What do you want to do after STRIDES, and how has this program helped prepare you for it?

● We are able to intern and volunteer which helps us explore our interests and learn how to do different jobs that interest us.

● We are provided with different online websites for certificates that help us achieve different goals and jobs we want.

● We also have hands-on time that helps us explore our interests and research how to achieve those dream jobs.

7. What advice would you give to a new student starting in the STRIDES program?

● The advice I would give is that flexibility is important because the days and jobsites can change at the last second.

● Another piece of advice would be to have a debit or credit card because we go into the community and have the opportunity to grocery shop for ourselves or get something we would like while learning the valuable skills of budgeting.

By fostering a supportive, hands-on learning environment, STRIDES empowers participants to explore career paths, develop life skills, and prepare for a future filled with possibilities. As the program continues to grow through partnerships and student success stories, it serves as an inspiring model of how tailored education and real-world experience can create lasting impact.