News

Shepherds College awarded grant from the Racine Community Foundation

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:30:50 -0800

This fall, the Racine Community Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant from the St. Luke’s Hospital Trustees Fund to Shepherds College, a post-secondary school for young adults with intellectual disabilities located in Union Grove, WI.

The funds will be used to develop Shepherds College Gardens Community Food Project, a socially responsible, sustainable, fresh vegetable program designed to expand the vocational training of individuals with intellectual disabilities, while serving and benefitting low-income residents in Racine County.

“Racine County low-income residents have such limited access to affordable and healthy produce beyond food banks,” said Leslie Leith, Lead Instructor of Horticulture at Shepherds College. “We believe that our community involvement of providing free produce to the Racine County Food Bank will assist in food security and meet one of the long-term needs of low-income individuals and families.

In addition, the development of a Vegetable Market Share Program will create sustainability by allowing low-income residents to use a coupon card to purchase fruits, vegetables and herbs from our farmer’s market vendor stand, while at the same time allowing middle- and upper- income families to make purchases at full price. This program will allow individuals with intellectual disabilities to become active members of their community.”

To maintain community involvement, Shepherds College Gardens will be accessible to local, school-age children. The “Plant A Row” program will allow visiting students to grow food for donation to the local emergency food pantry. Local high school students (Future Farmers of America) will be given the opportunity to work in the garden program which will further establish a tradition of community-based food production and entrepreneurship.

Shepherds College Now Eligible for Financial Aid

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:03:00 -0700

Read the Westine Report article here:

http://lab.southernlakesnewspapers.com/?p=4359

Shepherds Students Now Eligible for Federal Financial Aid

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:17:00 -0700

To read the story in the Racine Journal Times, click here:

http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/shepherds-students-now-eligible-for-federal-financial-aid/article_a3df2b0e-bacd-11e1-9957-001a4bcf887a.html

Shepherds College Now Has a New Blog!

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:23:00 -0700

If you want to read about Shepherds College on a daily basis, please follow our blog "Time to Fly":

Time to Fly

Shepherds College Graduates the Class of 2012

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 06:52:00 -0700

Read the article in the Westine Report here:

http://lab.southernlakesnewspapers.com/?p=4235

Little Colleges That Could

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:28:00 -0800

Read the Christianity Today article here:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/march/little-colleges-that-could.html

Graduating from College, Despite Intellectual Disabilities

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:23:00 -0800

Read the article from Chicago Special Parent Magazine here:

http://www.chicagoparent.com/magazines/special-parent/2012-spring/expectations

Shepherds College Granted Accreditation!

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:15:00 -0800

Click on the link below to read the Racine Journal Times article on our accreditation:

http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/shepherds-college-given-accreditation/article_1ddc17f2-2bcf-11e1-b891-0019bb2963f4.html

Shepherds College holds inaugural commencement ceremony

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:09:00 -0700

Union Grove, Wisconsin - June 11, 2011 - Shepherds College, a ground-breaking post-secondary educational program for young adults with intellectual disabilities, celebrated the success of its first five students with an inaugural commencement ceremony held on the campus of Shepherds Ministries on Saturday, June 11^th at 1:00 pm.

The five students - Scott Le Rette from Racine, WI, Nikki Martin from Gaithersburg, MD, Brian Meyers from Roach, MO, Gloria Pavuk from Waretown, NJ and Jessica Gobeli from Winslow, IL - graduated from the program with a certificate of completion in one of two majors offered by the college - Horticulture or Culinary Arts.

Along with their main area of study, each student, during the course of the program, completed classes in four categories of learning: functional academic skills, spiritual life, daily living skills and social/emotional skills. Each interned at a local business that specialized in their selected area of study during the final year of the program.

"It truly was a momentous day," stated Angela Houk, Dean of Shepherds College. "Three years of hard work was celebrated on this day as five individuals with intellectual disabilities walked across the stage to receive their certificates of completion. Much diligence, perseverance, sweat and tears went into their three-year journey."

Graduate Brian Meyers, a Horticulture major now employed by Turtle Creek Gardens of Delavan, WI, was asked to share his personal reflections during the commencement. "I moved away from home because I wanted to become independent. At Shepherds College, I learned how to write a menu, go grocery shopping, budget my time and money, and cook healthy food. I learned how to design gardens, make floral arrangements, and grow vegetables." He paused to look into the tear-filled eyes of his parents. "I have grown as a leader."

Dr. Gary Meers, a professor at the University of Nebraska in the area of Special Education, presented the commencement address to over 200 guests, including family and friends of the graduates, faculty, underclassmen and local government officials. In his address, Dr. Meers urged the students not to lose sight of the fact that they have something to contribute to society - they have purpose. "Graduation is as much a beginning as an ending," he said. "You are now an example to those that follow."

Each graduate, dressed in gray cap and gown, then crossed the stage for their certificate - some with long, quick strides and big grins and others with measured steps and the seriousness of the situation in their expression. They finally faced the audience as alumni of the Class of 2011, turned their tassels and looked on with amazement as they received thunderous applause and two standing ovations from the people who had supported them throughout their journey toward independence.

"This class had to exercise a level of faith in an unproven and experimental program that will never be required to the same degree by any incoming class again," said Brian Canright, Residential Life Manager for Shepherds College. "They spearheaded and pioneered what could culminate in a movement in special education. No other class will ever have the same opportunity to display this much courage and commitment. This ceremony was their dream realized."

Shepherds College...Graduation

Fri, 27 May 2011 07:00:00 -0700

Ellen Cook, a local photographer in the Milwaukee area, blogged about the photo shoot with our first graduates. She posted some of her favorite pictures here: http://ellencookphotographer.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/shepherds-college-graduation/

Daniela's journey to Shepherds College: new opportunities in post-secondary education for young adults with intellectual disabilities

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:11:00 -0700

Exceptional Parent published an article written by Christina Goldstone after she and her daughter Daniela visited a Shepherds College Open House:

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Daniela%27s+journey+to+Shepherds+College%3A+new+opportunities+in...-a0252006476

Shepherds College Attains Accreditation Candidacy

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:02:00 -0800

On February 3, 2011 Shepherds College was officially granted accreditation candidacy status from the North Central Association - Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). This is a significant accomplishment in the growth and development of Shepherds College and validates its legitimacy as a postsecondary school.

In October 2010, Shepherds College hosted a NCA CASI Quality Assurance Review team that assessed the school's ability to meet the seven accreditation standards. Overall, Shepherds College scored very well in this assessment, especially for a school only 2 ½ years into its existence. The school received the highest possible score, "highly functional", for the Teaching & Learning standard and earned a score of "operational" in each of the other six standards. The official candidacy report highlights areas of commendation for Shepherds College and identifies areas in which the school needs to improve.

This candidacy status will allow Shepherds College to make application for participation in the Federal Student Aid program. It is anticipated that NCA CASI will conduct a full accreditation visit in late October or early November 2011, and if all goes well Shepherds College should be fully accredited by February 2012.

The faculty and staff of Shepherds College, and everyone else who has played a role in the development of the school, are to be commended and congratulated for this outstanding achievement. The attainment of NCA CASI accreditation candidacy is a wonderful testament to the school's commitment to student achievement and organizational effectiveness.

Contact:
Susan Griffis
Director of Marketing
Shepherds College

sgriffis@shepherdsministries.org
1805 15^th Ave
Union Grove, WI 53182
262-878-5620 ext. 2303