Addison Trail partners with Chicago Voyagers to provide experiential adventures for students in the ACHIEVE program

Nine students in Addison Trail’s ACHIEVE program have a new and exciting opportunity this semester.

ACHIEVE has partnered with Chicago Voyagers to provide those students with outdoor experiential adventures that foster healthy relationships and responsible behavior through a program called “Picking a Path.” Staff members hosted a meeting about that program for participating students and their parents on Jan. 28, and students went on their first adventure on Feb. 10. During that outing, they went cross-country skiing at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook.

ACHIEVE Social Worker Rolando Rocha said the focus of “Picking a Path” is to work with the students on their decision-making skills and self-motivation, how to set and achieve goals and how to keep striving forward and not give up. He added the goals of the ski trip were to show the students how to:

• Support one another in a positive way
• Respect one another
• Encourage one another
• Keep trying – no matter the challenge

Rocha said the program involves going on an outing every three to four weeks, and data will be collected to help the students achieve the desired outcomes. Behavior interventionist Bradley Baxa is assisting with the program, and the program leader is Bernie Rupe. This is a pilot program with younger high school students in ACHIEVE to help ensure they have a successful high school experience, and Rocha hopes to continue with and expand the program in the future.