NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Inside North Ridgeville High School, there is one classroom where the work is steady and the smells are divine. This is Capable Confections, one of two non-profit businesses run by students in North Ridgeville's Able Program. The name was selected with purpose to convey all this is possible here.
"To just recognize our students are so much more than a label. They are so much more than a disability. They all have strengths that are just incredible," said Caitlin Carlo, one of North Ridgeville's Intervention Specialists.
"Everyone is capable. So we find ways to modify and adapt so everyone can be involved in the creation of the product, the sales portion of it," said Stefanie Gaudino, also a N.R. Intervention Specialist overseeing Capable Confections, which opened just last month in time to meet the Valentine's Day rush. Orders for mini cupcakes, and chocolate covered pretzels and Oreos come in online.
"We're doing a pop-up shop this month," said student Clayton Platsky.
Every student plays a role in the business, no matter what challenges they may face. Adaptability makes it happen. "Baking the world a better place. And then we love to tie that in with just sprinkle kindness wherever you go. Those are kind of just happy phrases to continue on that we want our students and our customers to take with them," Gaudino said.
We were there are Capable Confections worked to fill St. Patrick's Day orders. A short bus ride away, the school's other non-profit Able Not Label was busy filling spring sportswear orders: t-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks.
A 5-minute bus ride away, the school's other non-profit is busy - cranking out t-shirts, hoodies and crew necks. The apparel store has grown so much in the past two-and-a-half years it now occupies its own storefront. Students are involved in all aspects of the business.
"I do quality check and I'm assistant manager. And I also do weeding. I started weeding a few months ago," said Kaylee Focht. In this work, weeding is the act of removing unwanted vinyl in a design. It is intricate work requiring patience, precise use of weeding tools, and a good eye. Able Not Label students have mastered it.
"A student that might be nonverbal might have the most incredible attention to detail and fine motor abilities and be able to work independently, quietly and be on task. And those are some things that are very, like, admired in a workplace," Carlo shared.
The hope is the skills students learn here, will go with them into a job setting.
Manager Alex Ashburn says the experience has taught him to be "professional, how to pay attention and work really hard."
"A lot of our students need just some extra training. Extra training for life skills that are very natural for you and I. Extra training and job skills that are natural for an average 16-year-old. Our biggest push at the high school level is preparing them for a successful life after high school," Carlo stressed.
In addition to making shirts and sweets, students are learning important life and work skills; from time management, money management, getting to work on time and communicating with customers.
Stefanie Gaudino says, "the ultimate goal in everything we do is in their transition to adulthood."
With the support of an engaged community, there is hope more opportunities will open up for these young people ready to take the next step.
"Just because they have a disability, it really means nothing. They are capable of so much. With Able Not Label and Confections you see how much they really are able to accomplish," Carlo said.
All involved in North Ridgeville's programs are grateful for community support, and opportunities for employment. But more is needed. "Competitive employment is what we want for all our students. There aren't a lot of opportunities. So it makes us motivated to get them ready for competitive employment, but also continue fostering an education that can transfer elsewhere if its at a day program or just grocery shopping with your family, things like that," Carlo said.
Learn more about Able Not Label Here.
Learn more about Capable Confections Here.
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