United Way of Greater
Plymouth County is always excited to hear success stories from our partner
organizations. The following is Melanie’s story. With the help of The Brockton
Area Arc, Melanie was able to use her talents as a dancer to help others learn,
while also improving her own social and communication skills.
"Melanie is a student at Brockton
High School who has participated for several years in the Sunday Recreation and
Arc Ed Programs run by the Brockton Arc. She is a quiet, shy woman who
especially enjoys the sports, dancing and music activities that BAArc programs
offer. The recreation programs have also proved to be a bridge to employment
where Melanie’s skills and personality are shining! Melanie's shyness has, at times, been a
challenge for her. While she is friendly and polite, her responses to questions
may be just one or two words, and until recently, she rarely initiated
conversation. One of her strengths, however, is dance. Since pre-school,
Melanie has taken dance classes at a local studio with other typically
developing students. When she began to participate in the Brockton Area Arc
programs, her experience and aptitude for dance made her a role model for other
students. The BAArc dance teacher recognized Melanie's strengths right away. The
teacher began to use her to assist with more difficult choreography by placing
her in the back of the class. When the choreography required students to turn
and face the opposite wall, Melanie was ready and waiting to provide a visual
guide for the students to follow. When the dance teacher demonstrated a new
step, Melanie was quick to learn it. Then she, in turn, helped other students
to practice the step. The teacher noted that the other students in the class
became increasingly motivated to concentrate. Melanie's example and
encouragement gave them the confidence they needed to learn the dance steps.
Due to Melanie's experience in helping other
students during Brockton Area Arc programs, the dance teacher suggested that
she apply for a summer job position as an assistant in her dance studio classes
for children. Although she had some concerns about Melanie's expressive skills,
the teacher believed that her strengths as a dancer would offset any
communication weaknesses. Just like any other job seeker, Melanie had to fill
out an application and interview for the position. She got the job! In September 2011, Melanie returned to the
Sunday Recreation Program, but not as a participant. BAArc re-hired her as the
dance assistant.
The dance teacher has this to say
about Melanie's work at the dance studio: 'She has been performing her work duties at and above expectations.' During class introductions, she spoke loudly and clearly, 'My name is
Melanie, and I am the dance assistant.' The students clapped and happily
accepted Melanie in her role. 'In addition to helping to teach dance,
Melanie is responsible for helping to load and unload equipment from the teacher's
vehicle. She follows complex directions without difficulty. She independently
assigns herself to students who need extra help. The most exciting change the
dance teacher has seen is that Melanie initiates and continues conversations,
especially with the children that she is assisting.' 'Turn this way.' 'Move your arms like this.' 'Good job!' The teacher reports, 'It is exciting to hear her use her voice.' Her mother reports that Melanie's expressive
communication has improved at home and in other settings as well.
At a time when many typically developing
teenagers have had difficulty finding employment, Melanie's shining in her
part-time position. Not only have her dance skills been strengthened by this
work experience, but her communication skills, social skills and
self-confidence have also improved as she assists the children enrolled in the
dance classes. She is earning a paycheck, something that many teens are not
able to do. She recently scored well on a vocational test in the area of
performing arts. In a few years, she will be leaving high school and transitioning
to the working world. It may well be that Melanie's participation in the
Brockton Area Arc recreations programs, where a supportive teacher recognized
her talents and potential, will be the experience that opens the door to a
successful future career in the arts."
