NATC students help out at the Novi Public Library cafe

NOVI — The Novi Adult Transition Center offers opportunities for adults under the age of 26 with special needs to learn life and job skills at various job sites throughout the Novi community, including the Novi Public Library.

“Our goal is to make them the best independent self that they can be,” said instructor Brad Therrian.

He said that by exposing the students to various types of jobs, they learn a variety of skills and realize what career paths they want to follow. It also gives the students a chance to apply the skills they learn in their NATC classrooms to the real world as they interact with the public.

One of the job sites available to these students is the Novi Public Library’s cafe. This year, two students — Archie McPherson and Alexandria Wachuku — were able to take advantage of the opportunity there and enhance their skills. They worked under the direct supervision of one of their instructors and with the guidance of cafe employees.

McPherson, 20, was able to provide assistance to cafe employees by doing things such as stocking the refrigerated area, bagging cake pops, and learning to make sandwiches.

“What we are working on with Archie is just keeping that confidence in areas that he is comfortable in doing, and growing that confidence in other areas where he needs a little bit more support,” Therrian said.

He said that McPherson is great with people and is one of the youngest students they have had at the cafe. According to Therrian, Wachuku’s strengths are in math, numbers and organization. She is often seen operating the cash register and making drinks.

The cafe job has offered experience to six students now. Two of them are now paid employees at the Novi High School cafeteria.

“I think this is a good transition for them to learn a bit about how to be in the society, how to have a real job,” said Audy Tenka, of the Novi Community School District food service department. “They are really smart kids, only with challenges. We just have to be patient and give them love and a little bit more time to learn everything.”

Therrian said that he enjoys seeing that what the center is doing works, as the students are gaining paid employment upon graduating from the program. There are currently 14 students participating in the work-based learning program, working a couple of days each week for about three hours a day.

Cafe manager Zuly Baez said that she enjoys working with McPherson and Wachuku, approaching her role with patience, and helping them understand their tasks and overcome challenges. She said she finds it really rewarding to work with them. Baez said she enjoys seeing them grow and learn.

“I have a lot of fun working with them, just because I love teaching,” Baez said. “It’s fun. Very fun. We do have some challenges sometimes, but overall it’s nice working with them. It’s nice to teach them and help them learn, because they’re learning.”

She described McPherson as a very motivated young man.

“I think being prepared is the best job skill that you have,” McPherson said. “So if you are better prepared for your job, then you’ll be better prepared throughout the future.”