ELKHORN, Wis. — Lakeland School in Walworth County is helping students 18 years or older transition to life beyond school through a special program.
It’s called LSYou, which stands for Life Skills You.
As a part of the program, students serve coffee at the Walworth County Government Center once a week.
Pigen Heniff is one student that serves coffee in the program.
“I try to help people around our school, help friends and when they need help, they let us know,” said Heniff.
Karen Nelson is also a Lakeland School student. She said working the coffee cart has helped her prepare for the future.
“Working [here] and working at Kwik Trip too… I serve coffee and do the slushies,” said Nelson.
Tyler Galvan is a special education teacher at Lakeland School. He explained that the coffee cart helps teach them several valuable lessons in the LSYou program.
“We try to teach the students how to be prompt when it’s time to get ready to start prepping things back at the school, making sure they are dressed appropriately, good hygiene, good grooming and most importantly, once we get here, making sure they are listening to customers and giving good customer service,” said Galvan.
For Heniff, serving coffee brings her joy.
“We are helping people. When they need help, they ask me or my friend Karen and we make coffee for all people,” said Heniff.
Both Heniff and Nelson said they look forward to applying the skills from the LSYou program beyond Lakeland School.