Joliet Township High School opens new transition center

Joliet Township High School District 204 celebrated the completion of its new Transition Center to help students with disabilities bridge the gap between high school and adult life.

The JTHS Transition Program used to be in the strip mall on Collins Street south of Cass Street, according to a news release.

“Our new building site was designed for our staff and students to optimize their experiences with life skills and vocational experiences in a unique and versatile setting,” Transition Center coordinator Lynda Shanks said in the release. “Our programming is designed to adapt to the individual needs of our students, in home, work and community settings.”

District 204′s center serves students with disabilities ages 18 through the day before they turn 22. The program is designed to focus on self-advocacy and developing independence in education, training, employment and community living.

The district moved its center to a 7,000 square-foot renovated building that features new classrooms, multiple spaces for skill and life training, and includes a full service commercial kitchen, bedroom and laundry space.

“Each thoughtful aspect of design in our new center was chosen for its accessibility for our students with disabilities at any level,” Shanks said in the release. “Our goal as staff is to create experiences and opportunities for our students to be trained in vocational tasks and learn and practice life skills in an authentic setting to increase their independence in their adult lives.”