This past year, the staff and youth at our Lancaster Campus have been busy with the newly developed work study program in partnership with the Bolton Fire and Police Department. This program allows the residential youth at our Lancaster Campus  to build trusting relationships with public officials and helps develop strong work ethics. For the boys and girls who just finished their first semester, this
is an experience they will not forget!

Upon arriving at the Police/Fire Department, the youth are assigned tasks by Police Chief Vincent Alfono or Fire Lieutenant David Farrel. The tasks have included washing and vacuuming official vehicles, landscaping, and cleaning out the fire station bays. The fire and rescue workers have also taken time to get to know the kids.   They let the youth try on their official gear and shared stories about their own experiences in the field. The kids couldn't believe how heavy the equipment was and loved hearing about the heroism the officials have demonstrated.  Many of the youth shared that before they would have not thought about aspiring to be a police officer or fireman but now they are interested in both fields and look forward to working towards these goals.

RFK's Vocational Mentor, Jim Bean, supervises the students in the work study program. "When we started the program we didn't know what to expect, but after the first few visits, and watching the kids interact with Firefighters/Police officers it is clear the program is extremely valuable to their development, learning and self esteem while they are in our care.  It is just fun to watch their excitement when they learn something new about the rescue field; they have a new appreciation they never would have otherwise."