The Kent County Community School STRIVE Program is a program that teaches students between the ages of 18 and 21 years old job skills. All of the students who participate in the program have disabilities that can cause them to struggle with obtaining and maintaining employment. At STRIVE, students are taught soft skills that will make them successful in the workplace.
Soft skills are those that most people do not necessarily think about when looking at what makes a person successful in everyday life. They include the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, work as a member of a team, problem solving, critical thinking, etc. When the students complete the STRIVE program, administrators will work with state level agencies, such as the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Department of Developmental Disability Services to help each student obtain competitive employment within the community. Currently, STRIVE students have had the opportunity to work with popular businesses such as CDSLP, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Food Lion, Capital School District, YMCA, Goodwill, and the list goes on. CDSLP is proud to welcome students within the STRIVE program to learn and obtain skills in assisting them to be successful in the workplace. Within the STRIVE program, CDSLP has worked with two students to date, who throughout the program, gained numerous skills, confidence, and displayed strong leadership skills. While CDSLP's time is short with each student who comes through the STRIVE program, there is no doubt that they will continue on as successful, hardworking young adults, doing great things and making a difference in the workplace.