Career Exploration – Students visit many of the region’s prime corporate, cultural, educational and historic sites where they have opportunities to “job shadow”, learn about varied career paths and job opportunities, and interview employers and employees while learning about differing workplace opportunities and policies. Site visits include: the FDR Presidential Library, DIA: Beacon, the Culinary Institute of America, Dutchess Community College, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, the Poughkeepsie Journal, IBM, GAP, the Bardavon Opera House, and the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, among others.

Life Skills – Using improvisation, role-playing and journaling, youth are encouraged to address relevant personal and social issues including: cultural sensitivity, peer and gang pressure, teen pregnancy, tobacco and illegal substance abuse and family issues.

Portfolio Development – Each student documents his/her experiences incorporating reflective writing, a personal resume, original poetry, photographs, artwork and other observations acquired during the course of the program. Portfolios provide tangible and authentic evidence by which to measure and evaluate each individual’s development.

Public Art –Youth work in teams to plan, design and execute large-scale public art projects, during which they learn mathematical concepts such as measuring to scale, using graphs, color and paint mixing, and other practical skills. Murals created by Project ABLE youth have been installed and are visible in and on buildings throughout Poughkeepsie, enhancing the community and revitalizing underserved neighborhoods.

Technology Training – In cooperation with the Liberty Partnership at Marist College, youth receive training on computers and in general business subjects, where they practice word processing, graphic design, internet research, and practice resume writing and other skills needed for jobs in today’s workplace.

For more information contact Mill Street Loft 845.471.7477.