Learning on the Job

The 2021 graduates of the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 (IU13) Masonic Village Work Immersion program are happy they made it through the school year successfully, overcoming more than just academic challenges. While similar programs across the state were placed on hold due to COVID-19, Masonic Village staff and IU13 instructors found a way to keep students safely in the classroom and on the job.

What started as a partnership with Masonic Village’s laundry department two years ago has turned into a comprehensive internship program with opportunities in maintenance, environmental services, food services, landscape and laundry. The students gain life enrichment and job skills and graduate prepared to join the work force at Masonic Village or in the community.

“The program is for students ages 17 to 21 who need some extra instruction to improve their future employability skills,” Allysa Wenrich, IU13 program instructor, said. “These students really just need some guidance in social skills and soft skills that aren’t necessarily taught in a typical high school.”

Students spend part of their day in a classroom on the ground level of Grand Lodge Hall and the rest of their time completing internships with Masonic Village staff who underwent training to be effective mentors.

“There’s a lot of passion here, and everyone’s just ready to pitch in and get the job done,” Holly Simmers, IU13 job trainer, said.

“We are teaching them all the time, but they actually show us different things and teach us,” Darla Putt, environmental services worker, said. “I really enjoy working with them. They make me laugh and keep my morale up.”

Bob Schaeffer, landscape mechanic, worked with Connor, who was hired for a seasonal position in Masonic Village’s landscape department.

“It’s challenging sometimes, but it’s worthwhile,” Bob said. “It’s helping them out, and it helps us out. [Connor] is doing stuff by himself that I had to help him with before. Now I can tell him to do it, and he gets it done. It gives me time to work on something else in the shop and keep an eye on him.”

An Open Book of Opportunity

Everett, a 2021 IU13 graduate Evan, an IU13 student, working with Darla in environmental services Drew, a 2021 IU13 graduate

program who interned in Masonic Village’s food services department as a busser. “I’m pretty prepared for the real world once I’m done. I’ve grown a lot and matured; become more of an adult.”

Everett, also a 2021 graduate, spent time on the housekeeping utilities crew assisting residents with moving and with annual cleanings of residents’ apartments.

“There’s a lot of job opportunities here,” Everett said. “Masonic Villages is an open book to try anything new. They’ll take it slow and help you build up to those steps.”

He enjoyed working with staff who he thought of as his own family.

“We always watch out for one another,” he said. “The residents are sweet, wise and caring as well. They appreciate having someone help them move heavy stuff. It makes me feel good about myself that I’m able to help a person in need.”

The real motivator for everyone involved is when instructors and staff see the students grow and reach their potential. their ability to communicate with not only each other, but with adults, really improves,” Allysa said. “At Masonic Village, we’re able to have that direct link and show students this is why it matters to be kind and respectful. This is now a place of work, and now I'm an adult.”

“I think for Masonic Village, this is one of the best opportunities that have come their way,” Darla said. “I'm very proud to say that I work at Masonic Village. It’s challenging, but I think we’re one step ahead with this program compared to other companies. We’re giving [the students] a lot of chances here.”

Residents have been supportive of the program as well. They interact with students, whether it’s in a hallway or when a student is helping clean their home. They know the students by name and often ask the instructors how the program is going.

“We spend a lot of time in the Grand Lodge [Hall], so we’re always passing by residents. There are a lot of opportunities for the interns to interact with them socially,” Nathaniel Wright, IU13 job trainer, said. “It may be just a simple greeting or asking how their day is going. It’s really neat to see the interns ask that first and have that interaction with them.” Working Toward the Future

When COVID-19 caused delays or even shut down some work immersion programs at other communities, it was important to instructors and staff to continue students’ progress. Online learning struggles to replicate real world experience, so after meeting with Masonic Village’s infection control team, they developed a plan to keep everyone safe without interrupting the program.

“We thank Masonic Village for being willing to take on our program,” Allysa said. “By following their policies and regulations and keeping an open communication, we were able to stay open basically all year and give students experiences that not everybody could always get.”

After overcoming the logistical challenges of COVID-19, future opportunities for the program seem limitless at Masonic Village.

“The longer we are here as an inperson program, the more we get to know the different departments and people, and we have the ability to expand into other areas and create unique experiences for interns,” Allysa said. “We have quite a variety of roles here. It’s not your typical health care or even retirement community.”