Evan Beard at Shepherds College

There are so many amazing programs that are available for individuals that have Intellectual Disabilities, and new ones are popping up all the time. I have heard from some parents that are feeling nervous or scared for this opportunity for their son or daughter.  I have heard parents say, “I am not sure my child is capable of that.”  These feelings are all so very valid, but I think some of the fear and the not feeling like their child is capable is just a mere lack of knowledge to what these programs really look like and the support systems that they provide.  There are ALL DIFFERENT types of programs out there. Some have higher levels of support while others are fully integrated within the college setting.  One of the first programs I learned about after Ruby was born was Shepherds College. It’s program model is a little different then some of the others I have shared in the past as it’s entire campus exists to educate and train students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We have had several recipients there and think it is a fabulous program.

This is from their website:

“Shepherds College exists to educate and train students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities by equipping them to reach Appropriate Independence ™ through the development of vocational, social and life skills while inspiring a lasting awareness of God’s plan for their lives. SC was founded in 2008 and is fully accredited by the Council of Occupational Education (COE) as a post-secondary program. The school currently has students from 18 states and 2 foreign countries. Shepherds College currently provides a three-year, vocational training program in either culinary arts or horticulture (with a tech major to come in 2016) and also provides a two-year program for students who don’t meet the academic(Appropriate Independence Academy at Shepherds College) which provides training in daily living, social and money skills. All students benefit from a transitional Residential Life experience moving from more structure and support to more independence over time; these phases include dorms, houses and apartments.”

 

I love that they have added the AI Academy, which  is the two year, non-academic, program geared primarily towards daily living, social, and money skills.  Students in AI Academy participate in residential life with the college students and have classes throughout the week geared towards preparing them for a more independent lifestyle in these skill areas.  This allows for a broader range of students to attend while also gaining that independence and confidence one gets moving away from home. 2015 Rockin’ Recipient Evan Beard is in this program and thriving.  I love hearing from the families because they are the ones who are the best judges of improvement and his mom had this to say:

” We absolutely love the community that Evan has joined. For most of his life he has had a number of friends, but very few peer friendships. Now he is surrounded with peers and every time we talk with him we can tell how much of an impact this is having on him. Evan has developed so much over just a few months at Shepherds. He has so many things to talk with us about when he calls because he is learning a lot. I’ve noticed also that his speech is improving and his ability to dialogue has improved as well.”

Evan has story is a little different than most, but one that he has learned and grown from. Evan’s parents work at an International School in Vietnam, so he is far away from home but is doing really well considering the big adjustment. He will see them this Christmas in California as the family travels to meet, but is really loving his life at Shepherds.  How inspiring that he has traveled so far from home to pursue his dream of higher education and independence!! Evan has been inspiring people all his life, though. Through their work in Vietnam, his mom said:

 

 “One family we know felt a lot of shame about their son, until they met Evan. After meeting Evan they realized that their son has more potential than they imagined. They have since shifted their thinking away from their son’s disability and toward his potential.      So, Evan’s greatest accomplishment has been giving hope and serving as a role model to intellectually challenged people in Vietnam.”

We love that Evan is changing perceptions and raising expectations all over the WORLD!!!

In his day to day life at Shepherds he lives in the dorms with a roommate (the first phase of on-campus living). There Evan is responsible for cleaning and maintaining his own dorm room along with certain areas of the dorms, he participates in meal prep for breakfast and dinner and enjoys participating in clubs and sports. Additionally, Evan goes shopping monthly for the groceries for the dorm areas.
Once a week the AIA program runs AIA Café where they prepare and sale drinks and baked goods. Here is a picture of Evan making “puppy chow”, and the video below includes shots of them making Christmas cookies last week. Evan exercises at least once to twice a week at the local Snap Fitness in town.

Not only is Evan busy with his studies and extra-curricular activities, he finds time to volunteer and help clean at a local church once a week, and has contributed to service projects such as writing letters to orphans and vets on National Adoption Day and Veterans Day in November.

Evan enjoys participating in a variety of weekend special activities such as Survivor Night, ride the wind (kite day on Michigan Lake lakefront), James and the Giant Peach production by First Stage in Milwaukee. I would say that Evan is living his college dream.  This college dream may look different than someone else’s college dream though, and that’s OK.  That is what makes having so many different types of programs and opportunities available so great!!  I highly encourage families to check out Think College (www.thinkcollege.net) to explore and learn more about programs in your area and nationwide.  It’s never too early to start thinking about it!

His teachers at Shepherds say that “In the Academy Evan has demonstrated growth in areas of social development and especially in his money skills, specifically developing an ability to count in increasingly higher denominations.”

 

GO EVAN!!! We are so unbelievably proud of you and honored to share your story to help inspire others!  Keep on rockin’ it Evan!!
Here is a short video to take a peek into Evan’s day at Shepherds: