Since 2009, STARability Foundation has been offering Life Skills Classes to its members. These classes have helped to promote independence and teach important life skills.
STARability offers cooking classes that are held on Wednesdays, from 10:00am-1:30pm. Sandra Smith, the instructor, teaches health & nutrition along with how to create tasty and healthy meals. Her students adore her and most attend the classes year after year. Our current session ends on March 28. The next 4-week session of STARability’s Cooking Class taught by Sandra and Merrylee runs from Wednesday, June 6 – June 27 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. The fee is $60. Those that do not want to sign up for the entire 4 week session are welcome to sign up on a weekly basis for $15 per class. Sign up: info@STARability.org or (239)594-9007.
Participants assist with making Taco Salad
Meet Sandra
Sandra Smith is a licensed social worker who has generously donated her time to STARability Foundation since moving part time to Florida in 2008. Sandra, who has an M.S.W. from Catholic University, worked and taught at several health facilities and universities in the Washington D.C. area, and had a private practice for 10 years. After retiring in 2003, Sandra volunteered at Chesapeake Hospice, the Department of Aging in Annapolis, MD, and the Providence Center for developmentally disabled adults.
Sandra conducts Life Skills workshops for 4 months every year for STARability members. She has taught cooking, health & nutrition, financial literacy, personal safety and others. In addition to teaching the weekly 4 hour class, Sandra develops curriculum and does all the preparation for each class. According to Sandra, the life skills classes have been a wonderful program for her to employ her group skills and love of this population, developmentally disabled adults. “The students and their parents/caregivers have enriched my life beyond what I can express,” said Sandra.
“There has been significant growth with all of the regular students and I am sure the program, along with various STARability events, are a factor. It is like witnessing the students’ maturity levels rise all in a healthy, positive way. So very inspiring.”