Young adults with special needs often face significant hurdles when it comes to finding meaningful employment and achieving a sense of fulfillment. In an effort to address this challenge, a trustee at Houston Community College (HCC) is spearheading an initiative to broaden access to a vocational training program designed specifically for these individuals.
The VAST Academy at HCC provides tailored vocational training, educational preparedness, and a boost in confidence for special needs students, empowering them to pursue their academic and career ambitions. There are plans to expand the VAST Academy to additional campuses to reach more students.
Student Insights
VAST Academy has become a transformative resource for special needs students, equipping them with essential job training, educational support, and, most importantly, the self-assurance to thrive.
Lauryn Huffman, a 26-year-old student, recalls her earlier struggles with confidence, noting that she was once too timid to walk across the stage at her eighth-grade graduation. “I didn’t really have the guts to walk across the stage. Well, now I do,” she stated, reflecting on her growth.
Initially, Lauryn’s experience at a community college was daunting. “She had some learning disabilities and was in a 504 program in high school. We enrolled her in a local community college, but after a year, it became overwhelming for her,” explained her mother, Michelle Edmond.
It was through VAST Academy at HCC that Lauryn found her footing. The Vocational Advancement and Skills Training Academy is dedicated to helping students with intellectual differences, including autism, ADHD, and Down Syndrome, enhance their skills and build their confidence.
“We put them in a position to thrive in life and do whatever it is their heart desires, providing them with the exposure they truly need,” said HCC Trustee Renee Jefferson Patterson.
Lauryn shared that she learned various software applications like PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Canva, and even created a business plan that will serve her future aspirations.
At her VAST Academy graduation, Lauryn spoke publicly and successfully navigated Washington, D.C., while interning for a member of Congress. “For Lauryn, having access to these resources has significantly boosted her confidence. It’s incredibly exciting,” remarked her stepfather, James Edmond.
Now a student at the University of St. Thomas, Lauryn aspires to become an event planner, stating, “The business I want to do involves planning events, decorating, creating balloon displays—making people’s dreams come true.”
In a testament to her newfound capabilities, Lauryn has already begun making her own dreams a reality. “The AAPD (American Association of People with Disabilities) came and held a program on voter rights for people with disabilities, and Lauryn led that initiative. That was an amazing moment for me,” her mother expressed proudly.
Expansion Plans
Currently, the VAST Academy is available in several neighborhoods, including City Gas, Pleasantville, Fifth Ward, Trinity Garden, Kashmere Garden, and Acres Homes. HCC Trustee Renee Jefferson Patterson is optimistic about extending the program to more campuses in the future.
