When you mix students with veterans who have plenty of life experience to share you end up with an important mentorship program.

When the students are from the South Bergen Jointure Commission (SBJC) and the veteran mentors are from Felician University, the program is stronger, and even more unusual.

Felician University Student-Veterans are currently working with the South Bergen Jointure Commission which provides special education classes for children of various classifications, including autism, multiply disabled, and behavioral disorders, from pre-k to 21 years of age.

On December 5th, Advancement Services Coordinator and Navy veteran Laura Steger met with a small group of high functioning autistic transition students as they worked with SBJC job coaches. “Knowing that this experience has been offered is really an opportunity that I am really grateful to have at this time. You know, we’re all human at the end of the day, and having a connection with everyone is important,” said Steger.

The SBJC students filled out questionnaires on assessing their self-esteem and self-empowerment. Working in a roundtable format the students went over answers together on questions about integrity, respect as well as their unique talents, and attitudes. Dr. Christopher Hughes of SBJC says, “it’s life skills that they’ll be able to work on in a supportive environment. We help them assess their strengths and weaknesses, which is important personal power work for this community.”

And these students do work in the community despite their disabilities. According to SBJC job coach Marie Lombardi, “We transition them into the workforce, so we take them out to work every day.” To worksites including schools where they bring in lunch trays, Home Suites by Hilton in East Rutherford where they work in the laundry area folding towels and table cloths, New Balance shoe store in Hasbrouck Heights where they put away shoes, Napoli Pizzeria in Lodi, Retro Fitness gym in Wallington, food distribution warehouse JJK in Moonachie, and other places.

SBJC student, Tom Radford says he enjoys the work. “Yeah. Keeps me busy,” says Radford. Plus, he enjoys speaking to others in the shoe store.

They work helps promote independence and encourages students to work toward their full potential after they leave the school. And the input of veterans from Felician University such as Laura Steger, and others helps offer the social, and life skills they need for life success.

About Felician University

Felician University engages over 2,300 undergraduate, graduate, and adult students through programs in Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing, and Education. Universal Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University’s education is ranked 3rd best return on investment for private colleges in New Jersey 2018 by the PayScale.com College ROI Report and is ranked #1 safest college campus in the state by niche.com.