Prep for the Future Gives Thanks at Calhoun BBQ

Staff members in the Prep for the Future program, faculty and administrators at Sanford H. Calhoun High School held an end-of-year appreciation barbecue behind the school on June 9 as a way to thank members of the community for their continued support.

The Prep for the Future program aims to connect students with disabilities to real-world experiences through volunteer and work programs with companies from all over the Bellmore-Merrick community. Calhoun faculty members as well as staff from the South Oaks Comprehensive Behavior Health Continuum run the program.

But it’s the neighboring community of businesses and organizations that welcome the Prep for the Future students and help them build necessary skills to succeed once they graduate from high school.

“That’s why we call this an appreciation barbecue,” said MaryJo Kennedy, the program’s director. “Because without these businesses, without these organizations allowing these kids to work in their establishments, we wouldn’t have a program.”

At the barbecue, students and local business leaders alike gathered under a tent to enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs and refreshments. Members of Calhoun High School administrative team as well as leaders from central administration were on hand to thank community members as well.