Spruce Mountain Inn has always recognized the importance that employment and education hold for most young adults. Through our vocational program, clients are offered unique opportunities to gain skills as well as to increase self-esteem and personal autonomy. These opportunities range from the vocationally related components of the Life Skills Program at the Inn to a volunteer or competitive community placement and/or classes.

Components of the Vocational Program include:

• Temporary Community Placement – From early residency and as part of Life Skills Program, residents gain practical "on-the-job" experience in local businesses.
• Volunteer Community Placement – Developed by our Vocational Coordinator, community placements are individualized to match the client's needs, interests, abilities, and personal goals. All unpaid work is accompanied by a stipend paid to the client by the Inn.
• Competitive Work – For some program participants, employer-paid work experiences often follow community placement.
• Educational Assessment and Planning – Clients participate in assessing their interests and develop educational goals as appropriate. To pursue a high school diploma, GED, college credits, specialized training, or adult education courses (e.g. Community College of Vermont, University of Vermont, Norwich, etc.). Tutoring arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis.
• Vocational/Educational Group – Here vocational and educational dreams and goals are defined with each new resident. Assistance with practical skills, such as resume development and interviewing, are shared.

Parent of former client,
Vermont