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STUDENT
LIFE
Overview - August 2010 Activity Calendar - September 2010 Activity Calendar - Photo Gallery
Student Life
Many new adjustments and transitions occur for a young person who is moving into more self-monitored (as opposed to parent monitored) living environments. Many aspects of a new living environment and life are available to be explored.
The LDI program philosophy and approach believes it is important for an
adult to be given opportunities to have both structured and unstructured
time outside of regular class, work, or program obligations. This helps
students learn how to balance their day and week as well as learn to be
assertive and disciplined for meeting personal and program requirements. (Click here for activity calendar).
At LDI, students have opportunities to learn to build personal organizational
skills, planning/prioritizing important time management/scheduling with
staff. Then, it is expected for the students to put this knowledge and
information into practical application. These are some of the skills need
to carry on daily adult lives beyond the program.
Students will have a variety of routinely structured things to do such as regular class times, work schedules, college classes, community classes, weekly shopping, apartment management, LDI social/recreational activities, appointments with staff, and course tutoring.
Students are encouraged to learn about the surrounding area of the city
and reach out to make friends with other students. The students have the
ability to participate in many activities in the local area.
For example, there are two large movie theatre complexes, one of the largest
malls in the state, several hundred stores, and over 100 places to eat
- all within walking distance. Within short driving distance, there is
an ice skating rink, in-line skating rink, go kart racing track (indoors),
horse stables, dirt bike and quad rentals/trails, rock climbing, and a
huge reservoir offering jet skiing, water skiing, and fishing.
There is national football and national hockey league stadiums teams within
less than ten miles from the LDI, spring training for four Major League
baseball teams and NASCAR racing within 15 miles. There are four private
fitness centers within walking distance. Another major focus, for the
students, is spending time together at each others apartments, BBQ parties
with each other, watch movies, play games, and swim at one of the two
apartment complex pools and hot tubs. Many students bring their cars and
team up to go out to enjoy the club scene in other parts of the metro
Phoenix community, go skiing in northern Arizona or Colorado, attend concerts,
etc.
Volunteerism and service learning is big at LDI. Program staff encourage
students to develop their community awareness and to participate in the
LDI leadership program by becoming a volunteer in the LDI "Make a
Difference Partnership". A few examples of these activities have
seen students reading to underprivileged kids, packing supplies for countries
suffering extreme poverty or drought, and working in a food supply warehouse.
The students really get a lot of personal satisfaction out of acting as
volunteers as they can see first hand the difference they are making and
come to appreciate the ability to be a part of the community. (Click here for photo gallery).
