K. Ross Ricks

PATTERN FOR SUCCESS By K. Ross Ricks

Cooperation among businesses for mutual gain, culminating sometimes in business mergers, are a fact of corporate life. Among tax supported public institutions, however, where profit and competition are not major considerations, there is not much inter-cooperative action. Recently, a few farsighted individuals, who are connected with public and civic service, experimented with this idea of cooperation for mutual benefit and as a result there has begun to emerge a pattern of success that may have far reaching benefits.

The Harvey Park District, and the O.T. (Occupational Training) Program of the Thornton Township High Schools, have combined forces and talent in developing a community center and playground program which more than adequately serves the needs of the community. By combining the talents of instructors and students from the O.T. Program, and the facilities of the Park District, the groundwork was laid for this program.

The O.T. Program is innovative and draws vocationally-oriented students from two high schools in the Harvey area. The students, during their junior year, remain in a workshop area located in downtown Harvey. Here they learn how to perform on a job. They do actual work, making needed educational aids for the local grade schools, and are paid by their teacher-supervisors according to how well they work.

O.T. student (center), as recreation leader, directing craft class on summer playground.

The Division of Vocational Re-habilition provides the money to meet the student payroll and buys supplies for the educational aids. During their senior year the students, who are judged by their teachers to be ready for job placement, are sent out into the community to work for half a day. The remaining half day is spent in school pursuing subjects necessary for graduation such as English and Social Studies. These students must also attend a Cooperative Work Training (C.W.T.) Class staffed by vocational coordinators of the O.T. Program. In this class everything is discussed pertaining to holding a job, getting along with others on the job and managing a paycheck.

The Thornton Township area in which Harvey is located has been a fairly lucrative area as far as locating jobs for the students. Of course new job stations for the students are always in demand.

K. Ross Ricks, formerly Dir. of the Harvey Park District, is now Dir. of the Addison Park District.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 January/February 1971

This is where the Harvey Park District has come into action.

During the summer months the playgrounds are open to provide a place where the children might play and seek wholesome recreation. The Harvey Park District has always sought personnel skilled in arts and crafts to provide the children with a learning as well as a fun experience. The O.T. staff is particularly skilled in crafts and educational aids, and last summer two adult volunteer staff aides of the O.T. Program conducted the summer park project—providing a wealth of arts and crafts projects. Of utmost importance is the fact that students enrolled in the O.T. workshop have an opportunity for a real job experience. Eleven O.T. students worked on maintenance. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation funds are used to pay the students until a proficiency level is acquired, and after this training period, the Park District assumes the financial responsibility toward these workers.

It has become possible, with the aid of these student workers, to open Community Centers on Saturday during the long winter months. We now have young, trained personnel who relate and work well with the youth of the area who use the facilities of this Center for their leisure hours. The Park District and the young citizens certainly profit from the skills of these student workers. The students, in turn, are grateful for the opportunity of a job and social acceptance and the school is very pleased to have such an attractive work station for its O.T. students.

Robert Glenn, O.T. student, doing preventative maintenance on park district cat.

In addition to the Summer Program and the Saturday Community Centers, the Park District carries on a year round extensive maintenance program. It is economical for the park to call for the assistance of these O.T. students when certain jobs of a maintenance nature occur. The students are again offered a work experience in an area vital to the growth, well-being and pride of the community.

This is certainly a give and take program which has been very successful for all involved. The Park District, the school, the students and the community all have their contribution to make, and this is evident in the total benefits.

Plans are now in progress to expand both phases of this program to a year-round project.

Perhaps the greatest success of this program is that the various elements of the community have been brought together by a mutual venture—the establishment of adults in authority and the rebellious, non-academic oriented students joining hands and working together for the good of the community in which they live.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 January/February 1971