BRUNSWICK, Georgia: Oct. 26, 2010–Special needs students from Brunswick
High School and Glynn Academy receive hands-on training in foods services
and laundry at Southeast Georgia Health System’s Brunswick Campus.
While this training can prepare them to work in a variety of businesses,
according to Arthur Tibbetts, director of food & nutrition services,
some of them go on to become valued Health System team members.
“Three of our current team members came through the program,”
Tibbetts says. “These students always impress us. They are always
ready and eager to work and learn new things. Paula Baker, patient services
manager in the Food & Nutrition Services Department, agrees and says
that she gets as much or more from the program as the students do. “We’ve
been working with the schools about 16 years,” says Baker, who adds
that Job Corps participants also take part in the program. “Each
school year we get from two to seven kids who come in four days a week.
We teach them how to wash dishes, pan milk and juices, clean tables, put
together desserts, cut cakes, fill drink machines, vacuum, roll silverware,
sweep and more. Having them here is the highlight of my day. Last year,
six of our students graduated high school and I was invited to all of
their graduations and their proms. We really enjoy having them here.”
While the students currently only work at the Brunswick Campus, Tibbetts
says they plan to bring some of the students over to the Senior Care Center-Brunswick
kitchen. “They walk in the door and start working the minute they
come in until the minute they leave for the day,” Tibbetts says.
“They are very impressive young people.”