Students from Arlington ISD's 18 PLUSS Program, a group of young adults aged 18 to 22 with special education needs, have brought some Valentine's warmth to local veterans. In an initiative to connect with the community and gain vocational training, these students crafted handmade cards to show their gratitude for local servicemen and women, according to the City of Arlington, Texas.
Twice a week, the students who are part of the 18 PLUSS Program, which stands for Performance-Based Learning in Unique School Settings, join forces with local businesses such as Esports Stadium Arlington and the nearby Sheraton Hotel to learn the ropes of working in the hospitality industry. The Valentine's Day card-making project stemmed from a partnership with the Mayor’s Veterans Task Force, where students like Emma, 20, find joy in crafting messages of appreciation, complete with foam hearts and colorful decorations.
"It makes me happy," Emma shared, as per the City of Arlington, Texas, as she engaged in the creative process of making her cards. These gestures of goodwill are not only about crafting cards for Emma and her fellow students but also about understanding their impact on the community they are so keenly a part of.
And it's not just about the students either. The veterans and their families receive tokens of thanks during various occasions, such as Christmas ornaments in December, and now, Valentine's Day cards. La'Tori, 19, one of the students involved in the project, beamed as he spoke about his handiwork: "I decorated them with stickers and drew lots of hearts on them," he said, per the City of Arlington, Texas.
Justin Grimsley, Esports Stadium Arlington’s general manager and assistant director, also praised the benefits of the collaboration, highlighting the positive atmosphere these students bring with them: "This group is extra happy. They are almost always in a good mood, and it makes everyone in a good mood when they are here," he told the City of Arlington, Texas. As the program continues to flourish, the students of the 18 PLUSS Program are not only enhancing their skills for future employment but also strengthening the bonds within their local community.
