Launch to Success assists special needs youth, businesses

LOS LUNAS — Los Lunas Schools’ Launch to Success program assists young adults with special needs within the community by providing engaging, hands-on work experience in a real-world setting.

“The community is our classroom,” said Launch to Success teacher Manuela Telbis. “Everything we do is hands-on. The students love it; the parents are happy and the community is embracing us.”

The unique program is made possible through partnerships with several local businesses and organizations who host the students every week at their job sites. Students can also pick up materials from the businesses and return when the job is complete.

“There’s limited opportunities for these students around the community,” said Launch to Success transition specialist Mike Baca. “We want to provide those opportunities for them, to allow them to be successful, learn those job skills, and give them a place where they feel safe and comfortable and looking forward to their challenges they face every day.”

Launch to Success began in March 2024 and is open to 18 to 22 year-old young adults who have a disability. Currently, there are 13 students participating in the program.

LLS Director of Special Education Mary McGowan explained the district has always had a post-high school transition program, but the department rebranded to include a more hands-on approach out in the community.

“The mindset of the students is ‘I’ve already graduated. I don’t want to go back to school,’ but this is not school; this is a work opportunity really looking at practical, applicable jobs that our young adults can do,” McGowan said.

Throughout the week, the students complete a few hour-long location rotations during the day in groups. Staff aim to rotate everybody to every job when they can, so the students can experience a variety of roles and get a sense of what work they enjoy the most.

On Monday, students assist at the LLS technology and transportation department and Los Lunas Middle School’s cafeteria.

On Tuesday, they visit Barber Bazaar, Subway and Trees That Please.

Wednesday is spent at Calvary Church and the Los Lunas Library.

On Thursday, they work at Flyer Press and Valencia County Animal Services, a favorite among many of the students.

On Friday, they assist at Mariscos Altamar. The cycle then repeats the next week.

“The parents tell me what they like the most is the structure and the routine,” said Telbis. “A lot of the students have really high anxiety, so everything is predictable and everybody knows what everybody’s doing every single minute of the day, so there’s no worrying about a thing.”

Students try their hand at everything from packing, cleaning, assembly and much more in a variety of environments. Though, what’s especially vital, said Telbis, is the emphasis on developing life and job skills.

“We learn things that we would never learn in a classroom, like having a boss, taking direction from different people, arranging transportation, knowing where and what time they need to be somewhere … also each job site has different expectations, so they learn about dressing appropriately to the expectations of each job,” said Telbis.

“I think the bottom line is we want them exposed around the businesses,” said Baca. “That way, we hope, they can be employed by those businesses once they feel comfortable. The business has to have to feel comfortable with us as well, so we want them to get as much exposure as possible to get hired.”

The benefits don’t stop there. Beyond building job-ready skills, it’s a big boost to the students well-being, as their confidence, independence and sense of purpose blossoms by trying and succeeding at new things.

“They are motivated and they take pride in what they do,” said Baca. “It allows them to be successful members of the community, which is what they want.”

Baca said the businesses involved also benefit and look forward to the experience, and Launch to Success staff work with them to ensure the program is helpful for them as well.

“It has to benefit everybody,” said Baca. “We want to make sure that the businesses want us back and (the students) are learning appropriate job skills, so we meet with the managers and owners to see what we need to do differently and what we can change, so we have that constant communication with them. But as far as we know, everything is positive. Every time they see us, they’re like ‘come on in. We need you!’”

“When we go there, we already have our setup. We know where to go and what to do,” said Telbis.

Baca encourages any organizations or businesses interested in learning more about the program to call him at 505-866-8237 or email him at jmbaca@llschools.net.

“I want to thank the team,” said LLS Superintendent Susan Chavez. “They’ve created this, they’ve grown this, and they’ve done so much for our students, and that’s why we’re here. We’re here for our students.”