For more than 15 years, Bethesda has proudly partnered with the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County to provide its students with an invaluable opportunity to build job skills and confidence through hands-on experience in an actual workplace environment.
This program, called the VSP (Vocational Skills Program), gives students a chance to dive into daily responsibilities like doing laundry, setting the tables, and even serving in the dining room — essential tasks that build both practical skills and personal independence.
“Our goal is to help these students become job-ready once they leave our program,” says Eileen Caffey, Bethesda’s Senior Director of Recruitment and Employee Relations. “We want to support them in reaching their full potential as independent adults.”
Danielle Barnhart, a special education teacher who has worked with students at Bethesda Barclay House for 12 years, has seen firsthand how transformative this experience can be.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to watch these students grow and mature through the program,” Danielle says. “Each of them has their own success story.”
Beyond skill-building, the program fosters relationships between students and residents, creating a sense of community and mutual support.
“There’s a fun dynamic between the students and residents,” Danielle shares. “They build real connections, and the students look forward to seeing them every day.”
Students often feel such a strong bond with Bethesda that some, like JoJo Kersting (pictured in featured image above), become Bethesda team members. JoJo, a former SSD student, completed her vocational training at Bethesda Orchard in 2013 and stayed on as a full-time server.
“I wanted to stay at Bethesda Orchard because this is where I received my training and felt most comfortable,” JoJo explains.
Now a beloved team member, she shares close relationships with the residents, who eagerly ask for updates about her children.
“They ask for photos and tell me about their grandchildren,” JoJo says. “Sometimes I get to meet them if they come visit for lunch.”
Reflecting on the program’s lasting impact, Danielle says, “Bethesda is such a welcoming place. They support our vision for these students, and I hope this partnership remains as strong as it’s been going forward.”
Currently six VSP students are participating in the program at Bethesda Barclay House. Four are seen here, along with teacher Danielle Barnhart (far right) and assistant Gloria Morrow (second from left).
