By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
Like most twenty-somethings, Danyelle Smith, Wind Lake, and Mike Fiorita, Rochester, both age 23, are too bright, sociable and energetic to enjoy being unemployed while living at home after high school graduation.
Unlike most twenty-somethings, Danyelle and Mike live with special needs challenges that complicate the job of their easily finding a good fit with an employer.
With the help of Connie Levilelt, of East Troy, who works as their Next Step life coach, the chances of their finding suitable work are improving.
On Feb. 8, state Rep. David Craig accepted Levilelt’s invitation to observe her clients on the job at Waterford Senior Living Center, where Danyelle and Mike work five days a week clearing and cleaning tables after breakfast, setting up chairs for residents’ daily stretching exercises and preparing the “extras” bins that hold items for sale like snacks and toiletries.
The meeting in Waterford was to show Craig what her clients do in the community, said Levilelt.
“Since I’m breaking ground with what I’m doing as a life coach for people who are differently-abled, I felt it’s important for him to see my clients in action.
“I hope he’ll keep me abreast of the happenings in the disability world and let me know about meetings and conferences that might impact my clients, or their funding.”
Craig spent 1-1/2 hours at the senior center, talking with Levilelt and staff and watching Danyelle and Mike as they worked and interacted with each other and the residents.
“They’re very good workers,” commented one resident, who sat chatting with friends after breakfast as Danyelle and Mike cleared tables nearby. “They’re always very friendly and polite.”
The residents in turn return that same level of friendliness, with Danyelle and Mike happily responding when called by any number of affectionate names, including Sunshine, Sweetie, Lollipop and Tootsie Roll.
Besides their work at the senior center, Danyelle and Mike help out at other places around town, including Fox River Veterinary Service, the Chamber’s office on Main Street and at its water booth during Ballonfest. They also take care of the downtown flower planters during warm weather.
“We’re always looking for other opportunities for volunteering or for hire,” Levilelt said. She can be reached by emailing [email protected].
Levilelt readily admits there’s no real definition of what her position as a life coach entails. “I pretty much made it up,” she said.
But, in general, Levilelt works on behalf of differently-abled young adults, most of whom have graduated from high school, coaching them in various job skills, social skills (like speaking clearly and looking someone in the eye), plus money skills like balancing a check book.
“I work on their independent goals, which their parents and I set,” she explained. “The goal is for each of my full-time clients to obtain a paying job and move on.”
This doesn’t happen over night, she added. “There’s a lot of coaching to be done until they are confident enough to go it on their own.”
Levilelt comes to her position as a Next Step life coach with 15 years of experience as an assistant in the special education department of Waterford High School. “I loved my time there,” she said.
But, when staffing cuts loomed, Levilelt felt the time was right for her to take her own next step in life.
Besides Danyelle and Mike, Levilelt has several part-time clients who come into her office regularly for group activities, where they do academics, crafts, games and lots of socialization with their peers.
“It’s such a heart-warming time to listen to their camaraderie, and have them help each other,” she said.
Levilelt’s office space is provided courtesy of insurance agent Brian Buchman, who has set aside part of his space on Milwaukee Avenue in downtown Waterford for the Next Step clients.
Both Danyelle and Mike have graduated from Waterford High School. They also attended the Project Active Citizen program in Burlington, a transition program that helps teach 18- to 21-year-old students with special needs how to live on their own.
The program is designed and supported by the Burlington and Waterford school districts.
During his visit to the senior center, Craig assured Levilelt he will look into what kind of funding in the state budget might be appropriate for use in programs such as what Levilelt offers as a Next Step life coach.
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