Group helps young adults with special needs prepare for life - Western Mass News - WGGB/WSHM

Group helps young adults with special needs prepare for life

As part of the Making Healthy Connections series, occupational therapy students from American International College teamed up with the Partners for Youth with Disabilities.

The goal was to help young adults with disabilities and special needs prepare for adult life.

The focus Saturday was on nutrition and healthy cooking.

The program started with a lecture from a nutritionist and the rest of the afternoon was spent learning how to cook healthy food and make healthy decisions.

Both participants and organizers told CBS 3 that both the kids and the occupational therapy students benefit from this program.

"The occupational therapy students get real world experience of working with clients in the field," said Nancy Bazanchuck, the Youth Facilitator for the group. "The kids get out of it the basic essentials of cooking in everyday life."

"It has helped me out more times than I can count, since I am not the best at cooking," said Corey Poulia, a peer leader. "Joining here two years ago was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life."

The Making Healthy Connections series holds a number of different events throughout the greater Springfield area.

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