LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Students at Ahrens Educational Resource Center, a program at Jefferson County Public Schools that helps differently abled students transition from the classroom environment to the workforce, are learning the lesson of giving back. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ahrens Educational Resource Center is a JCPS program for differently abled students

  • Work transition students partnered with AmeriCorps to pack bedtime bags for students in need

  • The students packed 80 bags with blankets, books, sheets, and pillows

  • The program serves students between the ages of 18-21

“We are part of making a difference today,” says AERC student Tyler Kemp. 

Kemp and other work transition students at Ahrens Educational Resource Center teamed up with AmeriCorps to make bedtime bags with pillows, blankets, books, and more. 

The bags packed by Ahren Educational Resource Center students will be delivered to younger JCPS students along with a bed frame and mattress. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley Brown)

The bags will be delivered to JCPS students who share a bed or have no bed at all, along with a bed frame and mattress. The deliveries will take place next week.

“They’re gonna love that our new beds, new supplies for the beds. I feel like we did a really good thing. It’s helping them knowing that they’ll be able to have a bed to sleep in,” says Kemp. 

Exceptional child education assistant Phyllis Mosby Johnson worked in elementary education for 13 years before transitioning to the program.  

Tyler Kemp of the Ahren Educational Resource Center left inspiring messages and drawings on the bed slats for their new owners to find. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley Brown)

She says the students are making a big impact in helping younger students succeed by helping them achieve a good night’s rest. 

“I just hope that going forward as they grow older that they will turn around and want to still want to go out in the community and get back in and love people because they have big hearts,” says Johnson. 

Her students also have big goals. Kemp hopes to one day work at an amusement park. 

“I believe that it will be a really good job for me because I myself love theme parks. I love roller coasters and stuff, so I think it’d be pretty cool,” says Kemp.  

Kemp says the program is giving him opportunities to gain the skills he needs to reach that goal. 

“It’s good to be able to be in a program that teaches you how to work jobs and stuff so that you will be able to eventually get out here on your own and get a job,” says Kemp. 

After packing 80 bedtime bags, students left drawings and messages on bed slats for their new owners to see. 

Kemp covered one in stars and the word “rockstar”. 

“Because they are rock stars. I feel like they deserve to feel like they’re special,” says Kemp.