Abilities Students ‘Prosper’ at Reaching 2012 Graduation

Abilities!, Inc. held their 15th annual PROSPER celebration on June 1 for the class of 2012.

Students in the PROSPER (People Reaching for Opportunities to Succeed Personally, Educationally and Realistically) program are enrolled a school-to-career program with an emphasis on attendance retention that provides service to students in grades 10 through 12 from Freeport and Westbury High Schools.

This year, 40 students received PROSPER certificates of completion, and of the eight participating seniors, six will be graduating from their respective high schools and move on to either college, employment or military service – something they would not have achieved without the PROSPER Program.

Family members, faculty and invited guests joined PROSPER Coordinator Jim Molle and his staff with the students for the celebration held at Abilities, Inc., at the Viscardi Center (formerly Abilities!) in Albertson.

Speakers included Monique L. Thomas, mother of current PROSPER graduate Nelson Zane Thomas, who described her initial reservations about the program and how her skepticism allayed as it contributed to her son’s sense of pride and empowerment.

“It will be the guiding light to assist him to achieve future success.” Maurice Grant, Assistant Principal of Freeport High School said.

The program was created in 1997 to address New York State educational and vocational mandates within a unique pre-vocational environment that bridges the gap between high school and the professional world. Over 800 students have enrolled in the program over the years and the school has partnered with the likes of Adelphi University, Hofstra University, SUNY Old Westbury, and Nassau Community College, as well as the collaboration of members of the business community including but not limited to Covanta Energy, Cedar Creek Water Pollution Plant, Mercy Medical Center, Adecco Group NA, Holocaust Museum, Long Island Crisis Center, Quest Diagnostics, the United States Army and United States Navy.