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Education… Learning a future.

Laurel House members come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Some are struggling to overcome illiteracy or obtain a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) to complete their high school education. Others have advanced degrees in engineering, law and economics from some of the nation’s most prestigious universities. Regardless of the level of education achieved, most have had their school and work lives disrupted by mental illness—often at the age of transition into adulthood. Laurel House’s Supported Education program exists to help these members achieve their goals for a career and personal growth by enrolling in college or other credited, post-secondary educational program.

The Laurel House program was launched in 1989, the first clubhouse-based supported education program in the nation. The program is based on the belief that education, like employment, is an important goal in and of itself, as well as a stepping stone to recovery. Supported Education staff work in close collaboration with the teachers, counselors and admissions staff of local educational institutions, such as Norwalk Community College and the Stamford branch of the University of Connecticut to help members gain admission and succeed in school. Program supports include help with the application process, transportation, tutoring and financial assistance.

More than 150 members have participated in the program since its start in 1989. Many have gone on to work at independent jobs in the community since completing their studies. Laurie Appell, one of our most recent graduates from the MERGE certificate program in mental health, says of the program, “Laurel House Supported Education lit up my life.” Laurel House salutes her and the other graduates from the program as they embark on careers and achieve their goals for recovery.

Supported Education – Defining Characteristics

  • enrolment in one or more college-level full-credit course, or
  • enrolment in one or more post-secondary full-credit course for a trade or profession
  • all courses held in mainstream, integrated educational settings
  • assistance with college applications, financial assistance applications, transcripts and registration
  • on-site support services if desired by member
  • private tutoring by peers and/or volunteers
  • ongoing support as long as the members wants it
  • educational scholarships available to selected members with financial need
  • open eligibility (students must meet the admissions criteria for the educational institutions they apply to)

The William R. Battery Educational Scholarship Fund

In 2006, Laurel House began efforts to build an endowment to support the ongoing educational needs of the Laurel House community. Named in honor of a founding Director, the William R. Battey Scholarship Fund helps pay the tuition and related educational costs of any member and selected staff who wish to pursue post-secondary educational goals.

The Scholarship Fund is intended to accomplish three major objectives:
  • Support higher education at Laurel House by providing a direct financial subsidy of the costs of tuition, books and related expenses to any member who needs it and providing partial tuition reimbursement to qualifying staff.
  • Encourage Laurel House members and staff to establish and pursue educational goals that will nurture their careers and help them become more valuable, contributing members of both Laurel House and the communities they live in.
  • Recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of both members and staff as they reach educational benchmarks and/or attain pre-established goals.

To find out more about the William R. Battery Educational Scholarship Fund… click here

 
   
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