BELLOWS FALLS — As part of the Bellows Falls Union High School Community-Based Learning program, the Bellows Falls Community Bike Project has created an adaptive bike for a student here.
Freshman Stella Lillie had a custom bike made and modified to accommodate her needs, thanks to the help of Bonnie Anderson, Todd Ward, and other volunteers at the BF Community Bike Project. The team put in a great deal of time to come up with a great-looking, safe bike.
The Community-Based Learning Program was launched this school year as a collaboration of many local businesses and BFUHS students.
In conceiving and executingn the project, the students learned social skills and a strong work ethic, and carried out complex tasks with some written and visual supports. They learned independence skills and learned how products are made and sold.
Students also learned to work with managers, owners, employees, and job coaches, and learned to take direction and follow through with assigned tasks.
They also learned the value of showing up on time to get the bus to go to work, and how to keep data on the job, manage their time, and complete tasks.
The program depends on continued support from the community in the 2014-15 school year.
Area businesses participating so far include JoAnna's Glamorama, J&H Hardware, Father's Restaurant, Subway, Shona Grill, Pizza Palace, BDR Trucking, Greater Rock Fitness, Final Cut Video, FACT TV, Allen Brothers, Community Clothes Closet, Community Supper, J&W Auto, Bellows Falls Day Care, Lisai's Market, Dari Joy, BFUHS Cafe Services, Woodstone Windows and Doors, Curves Fitness, NAPA Auto Parts, Hill House Day Care, Rockingham Free Public Library, Church Street Kitchen Restaurant, Our Place Drop in Center, and the BF Community Bike Project.