Students in local program ‘Make It Work’

WARREN — On the morning of March 27, Enterprise High School junior Danica Tompkins sat down at a computer inside the Warren Woods Tower High School occupational therapy lab.

Next to her, Michele Morgan, occupational therapist/transition coordinator for both schools, provided assistance as Tompkins searched online for a Scottish thistle emblem.

Tompkins was creating a design for a memorial plaque made of granite in honor of her great-grandparents on her mother’s side of the family. Making memorial plaques to pay tribute to departed loved ones is just one of many projects available to students in the Make It Work program.

Although the district was on spring break last week, Tompkins and four other students attended the Make It Work sessions from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 25-29. Tompkins didn’t mind coming to school although other students had the week off.

“I like meeting new people and getting new friends,” she said. “I’m doing something other than laying around the house.”

The Make it Work program is made possible through a collaboration between Warren Woods Public Schools, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, and Michigan Works. Students who have a disability must have a case with Michigan Rehabilitation Services to qualify for the program. Students receive $14 an hour for being in the program.

“Participants explore traditional and technology-based design and manufacturing concepts. Another key feature of the program is dedicated to the significance of mental health and wellness on a successful transition to postsecondary education or competitive employment,” Morgan said.

“Students receive lessons on cultivating psychological flexibility as well as concrete strategies to address the social-emotional challenges of entering the workforce and adulthood. They learn attention to detail, pacing, activity tolerance and vocabulary,” Morgan said. “We hope these jobs will translate to any job they apply for.”

In class, the students use all kinds of machinery including the glass grinder, the lathe and the engraver. Projects include wood burning, computer numerical control machining, laser cutting, 3-D modeling, computerized sewing and embroidery and woodworking.

Pens, puzzles, magnets and drink coasters are among the many items the students make. Some items made in class are sold for profit such as the memorial plaques, which are available for sale at a local flower shop. The students also sell items at the Special Treasures store at the Macomb Intermediate School District building in Clinton Township.

The students also make items without the use of machinery, including artwork and jewelry. Last Wednesday, Enterprise High School senior Miracle Goree and Warren Woods Tower High School senior Candice Bowman spent part of the morning making a keychain and a bracelet, respectively. Both enjoy being in the program and creating items from scratch.

New this year is a 3-D chocolate printer that uses dark, milk and white chocolate. The chocolate comes in blocks shaped like a cylinder, and the machine can be formatted to make chocolate into different shapes.   

“The chocolate printer has been a great addition to our shop and gets students excited about design and manufacturing,” Morgan said. “It uses the same design software as traditional 3-D printers. It tastes like any chocolate you would get at a chocolate factory.”

Morgan also has plans for the students to make nightlights that resemble succulent plants. Instead of using greenery and flowers, the students will work with stained glass and battery-operated lights.

Junior Stefan Narra and senior Austin Champine were also part of the crew that came to class last week. Champine made several projects, including a mango-scented candle and an ink pen. He was glad to work even though it was spring break.

“That shows my loyalty and dependability,” he said. “I really enjoy it. It’s a calming atmosphere.”

Last week, the students worked with the help of Morgan, retired Warren Woods Public Schools social worker Linda Hutchins, and interns/college students Jordan Lombardo, Denae Howell and Ashley Sabo. Lombardo and Sabo are studying to be occupational therapy assistants, and Howell is studying to be an occupational therapist.