Community Partnership Prepares Youth

Bethesda is proud to consistently engage in partnerships that benefit the St. Louis area. Since 1995, multiple Bethesda communities have been part of the Special School District Vocational Skills Program (VSP). Through this community partnership, the VSP pairs students with a local business or organization to learn job skills; daily living skills needed to live independently, like budgeting and picking out appropriate clothing; and social skills.

Dhanel Stepney has participated in the VSP at Village North Retirement Community since 2021. She helps with Activities and performs morning wellness checks, calling residents on the phone to ensure they’re awake and had no issues overnight.

“I like doing wellness checks because it feels good to check on the elderly, to make sure they are okay,” Dhanel says. “I also like helping with activities because I am a motivated and creative person. I help with crafts, painting and cooking.”

“This partnership is beneficial in many ways, because the trainees may learn skills from our staff, but we learn so much from them, too,” says Felinna Love, General Manager at Village North. “It’s really rewarding to see the trainees start the year quiet and shy, and then blossom into confident, self-assured young people by the end.”

Another benefit of the VSP is the joy the trainees bring to the residents.

“When we had to pause the program because of COVID, the residents were so sad,” Felinna says. “They tirelessly asked me when the trainees were coming back. It’s really touching how much the residents love talking with them and having them in the building.”