New Jersey City University (NJCU) and the A. Harry Moore Laboratory School (AHM) launched the Life Independence and Future Transitions (LIFT) program with a ribbon-cutting event at NJCU’s Grossnickle Hall.
This program is made to help students with special needs gain the skills and confidence they need to live more independently and take on life as adults.
Let’s take a closer look at how the LIFT program is changing lives and creating new opportunities for these students.
- The LIFT program is housed in a 12,326-square-foot state-of-the-art space, providing specialized classrooms and practical learning environments for students aged 15-21.
- LIFT offers individualized learning, career technical education, adaptive physical education, and real-world skill-building opportunities.
- The program exemplifies decades of partnership between NJCU and A. Harry Moore Laboratory School, supported by community leaders and public officials.
Empowering Students Through Practical Learning
On October 30, 2024, New Jersey City University (NJCU) and the A. Harry Moore Laboratory School (AHM) started a program called LIFT, which stands for Life Independence and Future Transitions.
Incredibly, the program is meant to help students with special needs prepare for life as adults by teaching them valuable skills and building their confidence.
It was introduced during a ribbon-cutting event at NJCU’s Grossnickle Hall, where educators, officials, and community members were there to celebrate.
LIFT is for students aged 15-21 who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and need extra support as they prepare for the future.
Thus, the program focuses on teaching life skills, getting students ready for jobs, and helping them connect with their community.
The initiative is part of a long-standing partnership between NJCU and AHM, which has been helping students with special needs since 1963.
A Facility Designed for Growth and Independence
The LIFT program is located on the first floor of Grossnickle Hall in a 12,326-square-foot newly remodeled space.
This facility was designed to meet the needs of its students and includes special areas where they can learn skills they’ll use every day.
There are five specialty rooms, such as a culinary arts room and a consumer and family science room, where students practice cooking, budgeting, and other practical skills.
There is also a school store where students can get real-world experience by learning customer service and business basics.
The program offers adaptive physical education, career training, and opportunities for community-based instruction.
This means students can participate in NJCU’s and Jersey City’s activities, using their skills in real-life situations.
The building also has four general classrooms, and there’s plenty of room to expand as the program grows.
When it started, LIFT had 37 students, which is expected to increase to 48 by the end of the school year.
By 2025-26, the program plans to serve up to 60 students.
Helping Students Learn Skills for the Future
LIFT teaches students the skills they need to live independently and confidently handle daily challenges.
Each student’s learning is customized to meet their specific needs so that they get the support they need to thrive.
Students learn life skills like cooking, managing money, and caring for their living spaces, all of which help them become more independent.
The program also prepares students for jobs by offering hands-on training and career education.
For example, students work in the school store to build customer service skills and learn how businesses operate.
By combining classroom lessons with practical activities, LIFT helps students develop skills they can use throughout their lives.
The program is like a traditional high school, so students switch between classrooms and teachers.
As a result, this setup helps students adjust to new learning environments and build their social skills, which will prepare them for life after school.
A Strong Partnership for Special Needs Education
The partnership between NJCU and AHM has been helping students with special needs for decades.
Since 1963, NJCU has supported AHM through its Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education.
AHM has served as a lifeline for students with disabilities, providing educational, therapeutic, and social development programs.
The school is dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential and has earned the trust of families across Hudson, Bergen, and Essex Counties.
With the launch of the LIFT program, this partnership reaches a new milestone, showing how collaboration between institutions can create transformative opportunities that change lives for the better.
The Bright Future of the LIFT Program
The LIFT program is just getting started, but it’s already making a meaningful difference in students’ lives.
It equips students with special needs with the skills, confidence, and support they need to take on the next chapter of their lives with purpose.
This initiative is a powerful example of how collaboration can open new doors and bring opportunities that didn’t exist before.
At its core, LIFT empowers students to become independent, self-assured, and prepared to embrace life’s challenges and opportunities.
As the program expands, it will continue transforming lives and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for students, their families, and the community.
