City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College, Special Children's Charities, and Anixter Center Celebrate First Cohort Competers of the After 22/OLAS Program

The After 22/OLAS program connects young adults, with developmental disabilities who are no longer eligible for special education transition services, to further education, employment and more

CHICAGO-(August 1, 2024) - City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center, and Special Children's Charities are coming together to celebrate eight amazing students who have completed the After 22 Occupational, Life and Academic Skills or After 22/OLAS program.

"I am proud of our first cohort of After 22/OLAS students for completing this impressive program," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We are on a mission to make Chicago the most accessible city in the country and the After 22 program is another step in that direction."

"I am pleased to present the first students to successfully complete the After 22/OLAS Program. The program provides academic instruction and educational supports to young adults with intellectual disabilities for them to have a complete college experience in pursuit of rewarding employment," said President Janine Janosky, Richard J. Daley College. "The program is true to the mission of Daley College to empower our diverse community to achieve their goals through innovative education and programming in a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment."

City Colleges Chancellor Juan Salgado addresses student completers, their family and friends, and well-wishers from the organizations responsible for the program.Some of the first cohort of After 22 completers join Mayor Johnson, Chancellor Salgado, Daley College President Janine Janosky for a photo op.After 22 completers celebrate their accomplishment.Students gave remarks about what the program means to them, what they learned, and where they are headed next.Mayor Brandon Johnson, City Colleges Chancellor Juan Salgado, and Daley College President Janine Janosky congratulate a student completer.A proud After 22 completer poses with his certificate, Mayor Johnson, Chancellor Salgado, and President Janosky.

The celebration and completion ceremony for the students, families and friends will be held at 2pm on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Road in Chicago, in the Beattie Theatre. Other invited guests include elected officials and leadership from the Anixter Center, Special Children's Charities, Richard J. Daley College and City Colleges of Chicago.

"Determination, commitment, and perseverance, these are the words that come to mind as our first After 22 cohort of students celebrate this milestone of completion'' said Samantha Handley, president and CEO at Anixter Center. "We are grateful to employers and small businesses who have provided an opportunity for these students and share a vision of a world where everyone realizes access, opportunity and belonging. Together we are changing lives."

"I'm honored to share that Richard J. Daley College and City Colleges of Chicago are ensuring our students have what they need to lead strong and independent lives and I want to congratulate the After 22/OLAS completers," said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. "I'm also thankful for the all the support provided by Special Children's Charities and the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center. They identified the gap in service, and together, we filled it so that our students can achieve and flourish."

"Special Children's Charities is proud to have funded the After 22/OLAS program from its inception, and is beyond thrilled about this first graduating class." said Ray Baker, president of the Board of Directors, Special Children's Charities. "There are very few options for post-secondary college programs for people with intellectual disabilities in Illinois and that's why we are proud of this program. It provides our incredible students with the opportunity of a post-secondary college experience. I know that the students who participate in this program will meet and exceed their goals due to the work of the program. Thanks to Chancellor Salgado, President Janosky, the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center, and the faculty and staff of the After 22 Occupational Life, and Academic Skills program for their dedication to the students."

The After 22 Project is recognized as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) that is helping transition participants into meaningful postsecondary activities by providing flexible learning opportunities, leadership, and job skills training. In addition, students are able to access and participate in special recreation opportunities, internships and job placement opportunities. The After 22/OLAS program is an innovative inclusive pathway to engage students who otherwise will have to wait an average of seven years to access these services after they reach age 22. The program maps out a plan for participants based on interest and skill level.

The program serves students through academic and job skill development courses at Richard J. Daley College. Daley College and Anixter Center team members collaborate to implement customized educational plans to include competency-based, student-centered curricula to introduce and reinforce workplace soft skills, such as communication strategies, self-advocacy skills, professionalism, and navigating institutions.

Additionally, students practice occupational skills through internships both on campus and throughout the city, such as assistance in various college departments, placements in service sector establishment and placements in innovative technological enterprises. The Anixter Center matches participants to jobs or internships at a community employer partner, ensuring students have integrated, competitive job opportunities. In conjunction, employers receive the support they need to ensure success and retention for these employees.

About City Colleges of Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago prepares more than 60,000 students annually with a quality, affordable education leading to transfer, careers, and a path to upward mobility. City Colleges encompasses seven colleges: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Wilbur Wright College and Harold Washington College, five satellite sites: Dawson Technical Institute, South Chicago Learning Center, Arturo Velasquez Institute, Wright-Humboldt Park, and the West Side Learning Center, along with the Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute. For more information about City Colleges of Chicago, or to register, call (773) COLLEGE, visit www.ccc.edu, or find us on Facebook (City Colleges of Chicago), Twitter (@ChiCityColleges), or Instagram (citycollegeschicago).

About Special Children's Charities

Chicago is the birthplace of Special Olympics and is now held in over 170 countries worldwide, with over five million athletes with disabilities participating. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children (ages 8 and older) and adults with mental disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. The program gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The Chicago Special Olympics Program is run through the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools and various sister agencies. In Chicago alone, more than 7,500 athletes are involved in the program.Since 1969, Special Children's Charities has been the fundraising co-sponsor of Special Olympics Chicago, in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Special Children's Charities mission statement is to promote, foster and encourage physical and mental health and improvement through athletics, recreational and social activities among youth and adults with disabilities.

About Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center

Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center (Anixter Center) is an innovative not-for-profit, community-based organization that serves people throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. At Anixter Center we believe Inclusion means all - and disability is not the exception. It is a simple philosophy rooted in social change that drives human, community, and business results. Our mission is to provide an array of services and supports for people with disabilities and related challenges to live, learn, work, and play in the community. Community facing, focused on universal practices that benefit everyone, and a core belief in partnerships drive our vision to ensure we have inclusive communities where all people thrive. For more information about Anixter Center, visit www.anixter.org or join us on Facebook (Anixter Center) or Instagram (@AnixterCenter).

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Media Contacts:

Maura Bruton | Special Children's Charities | [email protected]

Veronica Resa | City Colleges of Chicago | [email protected]