Specialized Transition Adult Resources Training (START) students from the Escondido Union High School District are making a meaningful impact in the community through their ongoing volunteer work with Feeding San Diego. Every Thursday, teacher Courtney Coffin’s START students volunteer at the organization’s Escondido location, supporting efforts to combat food insecurity across the region. After Coffin visited Feeding San Diego’s main headquarters with her own children and seeing a large group volunteer, she thought it would be an amazing opportunity for all START students to experience.
Last week marked a special expansion of the program, as all START classes were invited to participate at Feeding San Diego’s main headquarters. Together, students bagged and sorted an impressive 2,964 pounds of apples, contributing directly to the distribution of nutritious food to individuals and families in need.
Feeding San Diego’s mission is to end hunger through food rescue, distribution, and collaboration with community partners. Vocational skills training and job coaching are a part of START’s comprehensive training program that includes mobility and orientation, independent living, communication, and post-secondary education.
“This was a wonderful experience for both our students and staff,” said Jeremy Owen, director of special education. “It was inspiring to see all START students and staff working together to support an important cause and to see how all of the life skills instruction on personal responsibility, interpersonal relationships, employability skills, and community participation come to life.”
The success of the visit was thanks to the participation and support of START teachers, START instructional assistants, a speech language pathologist, and Special Education Director Owen.