Residential Program Manager and Knoxville Alumni, Kelsey Goff, spoke to KHS students about career opportunities at COC.
Christian Opportunity Center (COC) recently worked with local high school and college students to educate them on career and service opportunities available at COC. COC staff members spoke to Knoxville High School (KHS) students during KHS Career Week to educate students on services offered and career opportunities. COC staff informed students on the many different career paths that are available and duties of different positions, from Direct Support, Management, Administration, and Leadership. As part of their presentation, KHS students participated in disability awareness exercises to promote understanding and empathy for individuals with disabilities and ways they can be involved in supporting individuals with disabilities, individuals in their schools and communities right now.
Central College Micro-Internship Student, Mary McGraw spent three days working side-by-side COC staff.
COC also hosted a Micro-Internship with Central college during their Career Kick-starter week. A Central student interested in non-profit human resources was able to spend three days working side by side with the COC HR department and management. The Central Micro-Intern sat in on interviews, staff training, and everyday operations. The intern witnessed how managers support the staff to retain them, how COC has managed covid/staff shortage, and the adjustments that have had to be made.
Justin Van Steenwyk, Program Manager for Community Based Employment-Life Skills and Associate Director, Jodi Tukker welcomed students to COC.
Another component of educating local youth on COC services took part as part of the KHS Career Week. COC’s Life Skills/Day Habilitation program hosted special education students to learn about services and opportunities in COC’s vocational programs. COC’s Life Skills/Day Habilitation focuses on training in life skills such as independent living skills, social skills, and communication skills. Day Habilitation participants often practice these skills in the community in an integrated setting. KHS students participated in some of the COC’s Life Skills program activities as part of their tour. Students also learned about COC’s Community Based Employment program, which helps individuals find and maintain employment in the community.
“These interactions have been a fantastic opportunity for COC to connect with local youth and make them aware of everything COC has to offer, whether they choose to work here or receive services COC. There will always be a need for disability services in every community, for someone to realize at this age that their involvement in disability services can and will build stronger communities,” said Amy Zuck, COC Public Information Director.
If you want more information on COC and the services, please visit www.christianopprotunity.org