Addison Trail and Chicago Voyagers continue to provide experiential adventures for students in the ACHIEVE program

On March 21, six Addison Trail students went to Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve in Wood Dale to help clean the preserve.

The event took place as part of Addison Trail ACHIEVE program’s partnership with Chicago Voyagers. Through that partnership, students are provided with outdoor experiential adventures that foster healthy relationships and responsible behavior with a program called “Picking a Path.”

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 accomplish goals and how to keep striving forward and not give up.

Rocha added 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.