Chaya, now 27 years old attended Creating a Life After High School program in 2018- Starbridge’s Signature Series that provides an environment where families can explore options about housing, employment, recreation and future resources for support. At the time, Chaya had big dreams—she wanted to be a model, pop star, and work with kids. More than anything, she wanted a future where she could pursue her passions and continue to learn.
Her mother, who had long been involved in advocacy efforts, saw the Creating a Life After High School program as a perfect fit for Chaya. “One of the most wonderful things about the program was that Chaya had a space to dream, talk about what she wanted to do, and make her vision come to life,” she recalls.
Chaya thrived in the program. It gave her a sense of hope and direction, showing her that while she might reach her goals differently as a young woman with Down syndrome, they were still within her reach.
After high school, Chaya explored various transition programs, including one that focused on internships and independent skills. She then participated in Project SEARCH gaining experience in hospitality. She even followed her vision board of modeling in three different photo shoots. But her heart remained set on working with children.
While traveling independently on a trip to Israel and getting the chance to work in various roles, Chaya was more confident than ever in her abilities. But life threw her a curveball—she faced health challenges that made it hard to continue working.
Despite this setback, Chaya never lost sight of her dream. One of the first things she asked when she started speaking again was, “Am I ever going to work again?”
Her mother, still believing in her daughter’s potential, happened to connect with a contact at CP Rochester. She shared Chaya’s passion for working with children, and soon after, Chaya was invited to interview. She got the job.
Just approaching two years, Chaya has worked in the preschool classroom at CP Rochester, the same program she once attended as a child. Every day, she brings joy, patience, and understanding to the children she supports, helping them grow just as she did.
Chaya and her mom credit much of her success to the creativity and unique approach of the Creating a Life After High School program. “Every workshop, Chaya was more engaged and couldn’t wait for all the possibilities,” her mother says.
Chaya’s story is a powerful reminder of how important it is to provide opportunities for young adults with disabilities to dream and create their own vision. The Creating a Life After High School program offers just that—a space to not only envision a future but to take the steps to make it real.
To learn more about how the Creating a Life After High School program can help make visions come to life, visit https://starbridgeinc.org/event/creating-a-life-after-high-school-series/
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