RISE Transition Academy Takes a Visit to the Capitol
February 15, 2018
Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) and Representative Scott Storms visit with students from the Rise Transition Academy at the state capitol in Hartford.
By: Senator John A. Kissel
With the opening day of the 2018 Legislative Session happening last week it has been a busy week up at the capitol in Hartford. One of my favorite meetings from this week was with students from the RISE Transition Academy which is located in Windsor Locks at 58 South Elm Street.
RISE stands for Realizing Individual Skills and Expertise, the academy is a post-secondary education program aimed at supporting young adults ages 18 through 21 during their transition into adulthood. Students attend based on a PPT decision. The program is then individually created for the student. Experience and instruction at the academy focus on independent living, continuing education, employment, community awareness and self-advocacy skills.
The goal of the Rise Transition Academy is to create and sustain a community of life-long learners where all students are engaged, empowered and expected to achieve at the highest levels. The program also encourages students to become responsible, contributing citizens in our ever-changing, global society.
After talking with these students I was very impressed with their goals for the future and their ideas for our state. Many of these students are extremely active within our community, and at the end of the day I think that is an important part of creating a Connecticut where everyone feels welcomed and valued. I was also impressed to learn of all the events and fundraisers the students at the RISE Transition Academy participate in throughout the year. They certainly are keeping busy!
These visits to the capitol are what bring a little piece of my district to Hartford. Talking with these students and learning about the challenges that they face every day really makes my job as a legislator worth it and inspires me to keep working hard for my constituents in Enfield, East Granby, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks, Granby and Windsor.
I look forward to their next visit and wish them the best of luck with the remainder of their school year, along with all the hard-working students throughout North-Central Connecticut.
