Berkley Schools have long supported children with diverse learning needs, providing support for children who learn differently from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Berkley’s support for people with these needs doesn’t just stop there, Berkley’s adult transition program gives students support as they enter adulthood, helping them flourish as individuals.
The Adult Transition Program is a school program for students who are from 18 to 26 and who have an individualized education plan (IEP). “Our main goal in the adult transition program is to transition from school to whatever is next.” Sharon Berke, the founder of the Adult Transition Program says. She explains that “for most that will be work, but in general it is to transition from school to a meaningful, productive day in life.” Berke finds the program meaningful because she loves “seeing everybody learn more about themselves and blossom as adults.”
Since Nov. 2024, the Adult Transition Program has grown outside of the classroom and into the community, starting its very own business! Hoppy Puppy is a business run by the Adult Transition Program that sells dog treats to the Berkley community. Hoppy Puppy is a big community collaboration that uses Dog & Pony Show Brewing spent grain to make dog treats.
“We chose the name Hoppy Puppy because when people hear hops, they think beer, and we wanted to lean into the fact that our partnership is with a brewery,” Berke said. Not only does Hoppy Puppy create amazing dog treats, but they also use this business to educate the Berkley community. Hoppy Puppy also helps educate community members about the program. This is because, on the back of each dog food bag, there are three QR codes. One QR code brings you to the Adult Transition Program’s main site, the second one brings you to Dog and Pony, and the last one takes you to Our Neighbourhood Academy, which is where Hoppy Puppy does their packaging.
“Not many young adults get to start a business, so learning about entrepreneurial skills is amazing,” Berke says. “Students are also able to learn about budgeting, finances, and accounting. These are incredible experiences for the students, and even for me!” Hoppy Puppy is looking to continue to grow but also wants to stay at a good pace for the students.
By giving students real-world experience the Adult Transition Program is a great way for students to prepare for adulthood while simultaneously having a great time.
Derin Thomas, one of the students in the program says, “My favorite part of the program is seeing my friends and making new ones.” Another student, Eli Tobi, states that her favorite part of the program is “learning to get along with others.” Zoë Torrence, one of the students, tells me that she has learned to bake and learned to sell to customers while being a part of Hoppy Puppy.
The program also has something called a PAES lab, which is a class period where students can try different tasks that you could expect in different lines of work. In the afternoon, every student works at places like Our Neighborhood Academy and Providence Hospital. Being in these work settings allows students to use the skills they learned in class in a real working environment.
Overall, the Adult Transition Program has done so much for the students and the community. From the PAES lab in class to a real working environment, the Adult Transition Program gives students the resources for success in the next chapter of their lives.
