Half day program focuses on improving attendance and self-esteem while showing how education impacts employment outcomes.
For over two decades, The Viscardi Center’s PROSPER (People Reaching for Opportunities to Succeed Personally, Educationally and Realistically) program has been serving high school juniors and seniors, ages 16-21. PROSPER is a one year, half day vocational program. Its primary objectives are to improve attendance/self-esteem and encourage students to gain an understanding of the relevancy of education as it relates to the world of work.
This program is a unique partnership between colleges/universities, high schools and local businesses and industries. It incorporates career assessments, career guidance, counseling and tutoring related to students’ short and long-range vocational interests. The pre-vocational component is supplemented by a community-based work experience. Students tour numerous college campuses, in preparation for selection of career choices, and participate in peer mentoring/shadowing experiences. They also gain career knowledge and exposure to various jobs through weekly tours of local businesses.
The PROSPER model encompasses a combination of modalities – visual, auditory and tactile – in the various college classrooms to allow students to learn in the manner that fits them best. Additionally, our corporate partners host vocational tours in their business environments and inform the students of their job requirements and responsibilities while encouraging the students to engage in the interactive learning via queries during sessions of dialogue.
Through cooperative learning and character development via public speaking exercises and individual / team projects, the program encourages students to learn to work independently and collectively to explore real-world obstacles and challenges. The students strengthen their ability and confidence to effectively communicate and collaborate with others, while developing interpersonal skill sets and heightening their self-esteem and leadership skills.
Highly successful, the majority of the students who complete the PROSPER program attend college, enroll in vocational training or secure employment upon graduation.
Half-day program that meets daily, Monday through Friday. Classes are conducted four days a week on college campuses, such as Nassau Community College, SUNY Old Westbury, Adelphi University, Molloy College, New York Institute of Technology and LIU Post, as well as at The Viscardi Center. The fifth day is designed for company tours.
To learn more about becoming a participating high school, contact ariley@viscardicenter.org.
