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Oak Hill School

Ambassador — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:56:07 +0000

In a spacious high school auditorium in New Britain, Connecticut, Justin, Melanie, Mason, Elgar and Sean marched down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance.” They were resplendent in their caps and gowns in front of family members, friends, teachers, staff and co-workers.

On this graduation day in June, Justin beamed from the high school stage. He collected an award along with his Oak Hill School diploma, a corresponding school district diploma and The Silver Award signed by the President of the United States.

Watching Justin and his classmates graduate, makes you think of all they have accomplished. Students have learned how to make friends, joke, and socialize; how to sit still in the classroom; how to read, write, understand and use math, sing, stand on a stage and say a speech, play a musical instrument, and so much more.

Oak Hill School offers an extraordinary range of services including: music, arts, swimming, life skills and cooking classes, community service and volunteerism, vocational training at school and in the community, as well as a wide range of academic programs aligned with the wide-ranging abilities and disabilities of the students. The school operates in nine educational sites across Connecticut and serves children from 3 to 21 years of age.

Justin and his classmates have been learning how to transition from school to work. Job developers help to find job placements, adult day programs, sports and recreational activities that will suit each of them after graduation. Part of their preparation includes work site visits, spending time learning vocational skills and getting used to new people and places. Justin has learned to travel and navigate public transportation and is excited to begin his new job. Each of our 12 Oak Hill School graduates will go to work or supported employment situations where they will be closely trained and supervised. Our wish for each of them is to have a full and satisfying life.

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National Volunteer Day

tobin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:48:52 +0000

Thousands of employees from Marsh USA, Inc. participate in the company’s ‘National Volunteer Day’ each fall. For the past 6 years, Oak Hill has been fortunate to have volunteers who have chosen to spend the day at the NEAT Equipment Restoration Center (ERC). Volunteers clean, sanitize and disassemble durable medical equipment that is re-sold at a significantly reduced rate. This allows Oak Hill to get durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and other adaptive devices into the hands of people with the greatest need.

Don Hoerman, Manager and AT Specialist at NEAT ERC said, “Each week we receive between 60-100 pieces of durable medical equipment and over 200 phone calls requesting us to pick up donated equipment from around Connecticut, other parts of New England and New York. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this help, because my staff and I do it every day. With help from Marsh employees, we’re able to move the process along much more quickly. All the help is fantastic! I wish we could have these volunteers every week.”

Oak Hill is grateful to each and every volunteer. They provide their time, hard work and help us to spread the word about the Oak Hill and the NEAT Center. This helps more people with permanent or temporary disabilities learn how to obtain assistive technology and adaptive devices that can increase their independence and improve their quality of life.

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Legislative Breakfast to Raise Awareness

Ambassador — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:25:20 +0000

Join us on April 28 at the Legislative Office Building to hear firsthand from families how legislation and budget decisions at the capitol affect the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.