LifePrep@Naz           

LifePrep@Naz is an innovative program designed to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a college experience, strengthening their life skills, vocational skills, self-sufficiency, and independence. Created through the collaborative relationship among Nazareth, Victor Central School District, and The Arc of Monroe, the LifePrep@Naz program thrives on the passion and commitment of everyone involved.

Through campus employment, Nazareth students serve as mentors to the LifePrep students, providing consistent peer-to-peer interaction. The mentors assist and support LifePrep students in LifePrep and Nazareth classes, and accompany them to lunch, as well as their on-campus vocational experiences. 

LifePrep students are fully immersed in campus life, including but not limited to:

  • Enrollment in a Nazareth course
  • Involvement in clubs & organizations
  • Attendance at college functions and athletic events
  • Internship on campus
  • Participation in Commencement upon completion of the LifePrep program

Eligibility

For more information regarding eligibility, acceptance criteria, and application information for LifePrep@Naz, please visit:

Mentor Experiences

What is your favorite experience with LifePrep?

"Every moment I spend at LifePrep is a moment that I cherish, but it is particularly special to me when I see moments of growth in individual students. Seeing shy students come out of their shells, or students who lack confidence demonstrate how independent they have become brings me so much joy.

"It is incredible to see the meaningful relationships the students form with each other and the mentors, and I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to have each and every one of these wonderful people in my life." 

How will you integrate what you've learned from LifePrep into your everyday life moving forward?

"I plan to work as an Occupational Therapist after graduating from Nazareth, and will be working with people across the lifespan with varying diagnoses. No matter what setting I am working in, I know that what I have learned about never assuming anything about a person because of their disability/any kind of label will translate. No two people are the same, regardless of the diagnosis they have, and I will move forward keeping this in mind."

"Compassion, diligence, and intuition are three characteristics I have learned through my involvement at LifePrep, and integrate into my studies and beyond. These skills are not ones that could be learned in the classroom, but only by direct experience. The friendships and rapport I have built with students and staff have taught me compassion and empathy which supports my connection to clients in clinical rotations."

Why are you a mentor?

"Lifeprep has become like a family for me at Nazareth College. As someone who started at Nazareth College as a transfer student, I was nervous about what would happen. However, after joining Nazareth, I quickly found my sense of community in Lifeprep. I always look forward to seeing all the students during the day. They brighten my day, and I always look forward to saying hi to everyone." 

"LifePrep plays a huge role in the atmosphere that we have here on campus. Some of mine, as well as my friends, favorite interactions have been with the LifePrep students whether that be "on the job" where we get to hang out with the students and provide support where they need it, but more so around campus at all the different events. The students are always stopping to say hi to you across campus and they are just as active in the Naz community."

"Working with the students in the LifePrep program made me decide on my future career path of working with individuals with disabilities. They have opened my eyes to the world of inclusivity for those with disabilities and that is where I found my passion. There is no better moment than watching a student do something independently that they used to depend on for assistance and watching them grow as a collective and individuals. I have developed my own personal skills as well as my professional skills throughout my years with the program."

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

LifePrep@Naz is an approved pathway for Experiential Learning, which is one component of the core curriculum at Naz.

Life Prep

Naz in Action

LifePrep students and Naz mentors participate in the fall Orientation's day of service called Naz in Action. Where the LifePrep students get to give back to the community and form new connections!

Naz students: Interested in Becoming a Mentor?

The Duties of a LifePrep@Naz Mentor

Classroom Mentor:

  • Attend the students Life Centered Education and Vocational Education classes
  • These classes are taught by the classroom teachers held around campus and in the hub 
  • Help students accomplish assignments 
  • Aid in facilitating group discussions
  • Help to enforce classroom expectations

Nazareth Class Ambassador:

  • Walk to class with the LifePrep Student (LPS)
  • Assist with best seating arrangement in class for the LPS
  • Help get books organized
  • Understand syllabi layout
  • Remind to write down assignments in planner
  • Assist in taking notes, if needed

VOC Ambassador:

  • Walk to their vocational location with them
  • See if they have any questions/concerns
  • Debrief after each shift
  • Ask them to share with you what they did that day
  • Help them to learn and apply job skills 

Other roles of peer mentors include attending lunch periods all around campus with the students and any additional classes in their schedule. 

Naz students: Who to contact

Email LifePrep@mail.naz.edu with any questions or more information on how to join our team!

Accommodations

LifePrep is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified student mentors. As part of this commitment, LifePrep will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment as a student mentor, please contact Nuala Boyle at . 

Ready to Join Our Team?

Being a mentor is such a great opportunity for all students! Our application with more information is below. If you have additional questions, reach out to LifePrep@mail.naz.edu.

View our APPLICATION!