It's been a busy couple of months here at BELL, and everyone has been hard at work finishing classes and meeting their requirements for the term. Check out what we've been up to!

In November, students participated in a healthy cooking and kitchen skills group. Our students worked together to make a healthy fruit salsa and Parmesan-Greek yogurt dip with tortilla chips and veggies. The group also discussed the benefits of healthy snacking.

Kirsten and Erica work together to help make the fruit salsa

"I enjoyed making the salsa. It was fun putting the fruit in the bowl and learning how to properly open and empty the cans."

 -Erica, student with the BELL Program

“I helped mix one of the dips and improved my kitchen safety skills at the healthy eating cooking group.”

 -Mark, student with the BELL Program

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As part of their final project for the BELL Enrichment class, students beginning their first term completed trifolds and presented these to their peers, staff and mentors.

“I was nervous about presenting my poster board to a room full of people, but it turned out not to be all of them there at once. It was more like a job fair setup. I enjoyed it.”

 -Austin, student with the BELL Program

Everyone listens intently as Mark presents to the group

“I worked hard on my class presentation. I did a great job presenting my poster to everyone.”

 -Tyler, student with the BELL Program

Jimmy is quite proud of his presentation!

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Tyler and Austin had the opportunity this term to participate in a data entry internship cataloging books and honing their computer skills.

“I cataloged books for the internship. I liked the internship because it's fun and interesting.”

 -Tyler, student with the BELL Program

“The internship I attended with Tyler helped me work on being productive at a job. I was able to improve my skills collaborating with a peer on a long-term project.”

 -Austin, student with the BELL Program

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Kellie here speaks about her experience in the BELL Program at the Institute for Innovative Transition at the Memorial Art Gallery.

“I went to the IIT Conference and learned a lot about the different programs that are out there.”

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

“I enjoyed going to the IIT Conference. I got to see some of my friends from another program.”

-Erica, student with the BELL Program

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In early December, students had the opportunity to decorate a Christmas tree while learning how to collaborate with each other.

“I got to decorate the Christmas tree with my peers. Putting the decorations on the Christmas tree was fun!”

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

“I had fun decorating the Christmas tree making it look fabulous!”

-Erica, student with the BELL Program

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Our mentors surprised students with an end-of-term pizza party to celebrate their accomplishments. Everyone had a great time!

“I liked the pizza party. I had fun hanging out and talking with my friends. The pizza was delicious. I made it because it is “Mark’s Pizzeria”…just kidding!”

-Mark, student with the BELL Program

Tyler here is enjoying his own personal pan pizza his mentor Jaime made

“I had a very good time at the pizza party and I got to talk to Jaime and Heather [mentors], and I really enjoyed talking to them.”

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

Dalton and his mentor Peter had a great time socializing with each other at the party

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Roxanne and some of our graduates pose for a photo. Don't think they knew Billy and Kirsten wanted in on this awesomeness... :-)

Erica and Kirsten share a candid moment

 Also, a special congratulations to Heather for successfully completing the BELL Program this term!

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Highlights from Week of 10/27/2014

What a fantastic week it's been here at BELL! 

Please see below for some highlights.

Some of our graduates paid us a visit this week to make lunch and catch up with each other.

Graduates Kellie, Precious and Holly share a smile

Erica and her staff, Kirsten, bonding and painting their nails

"I liked getting my nails painted."

-Erica, student with the BELL Program

Kellie loves the way her nails turned out!

"This week I got to see my peers from our main campus at CP Rochester and we got to do our nails. We had a fun time and we also got to make lunch."

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

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Our students had the opportunity this week to attend an ICARE Halloween Party. ICARE is a new campus club for BELL students to support each other in the program and participate in social activities with mentors and friends. 

Happy Halloween from BELL!

Tyler and Erica sporting their fantastic costumes!

Mark, Kirsten and Heather share a smile

"I had fun at the ICARE party. In the future, it would be fun to have a meeting in the gym to play basketball."

-Mark, student with the BELL Program

"Today I went to the ICARE meeting Halloween party and I had a good time. They did a great job putting it together and I played games with my peers."

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

Dalton, Kirsten, Erica and her mentor Dorothy having a great time!

"The ICARE Halloween party was fun. We had treats and played games. We also had a costume contest. My acting won me 1st Place for my stiff walking and gurgle moaning!"

-Dalton, student with the BELL Program

"I loved the fun, games and snacks at the Halloween party at the ICARE meeting."

-Erica, student with the BELL Program

Tyler and Austin looking great in their costumes!

"I had fun at the ICARE Halloween party. I played games at the party."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

"The ICARE Halloween party was fun. There was a toilet paper mummy contest and a bunch of fun games."

-Austin, student with the BELL Program

Kirsten pulling off the "reindeer" look with style!

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Tyler participated in a scavenger hunt this week with his mentors Jack and Jaime. The scavenger hunt was designed to provide him opportunities to meet new people and improve his socialization skills. 

"I went on a scavenger hunt with Jack and Jaime. We had fun at the scavenger hunt."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

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Everyone at BELL would like to give a special shout-out to Erica who achieved a 95% grade on a test in her Fitness for Life class this week. Great job, Erica! :-)

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Hello, October!

It's been a busy few weeks here at the BELL Program! Please see below for a glimpse into what we've been up to during this month.



Once every week, our students volunteer at the historic Mount Hope Cemetery by helping to keep various areas neat and clean. Our assigned plot has never looked better thanks to our student's teamwork and positive work ethic.

"My time spent at the cemetery is peaceful and quiet. With my peers and mentors we get the job done as if it were a piece of cake or better, a slice of pizza!"

-Dalton, student with the BELL Program

Erica is working hard and having fun!

"We have had fun maintaining our area at the cemetery."

-Austin, student with the BELL Program

"At the cemetery I helped with the weeding and gardening with my peers. I like volunteering at the cemetery."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

"I enjoy volunteering at the cemetery. I help to pick up leaves, sticks and weed our area."

-Mark, student with the BELL Program

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During mid-term break, our students had the opportunity to meet with their peer mentors during a "Fall Festival" party. Everyone had a great time getting to socialize, eat yummy snacks and watch a movie to make for a well-deserved break!

"I enjoyed watching the movie Godzilla. We sang Happy Birthday to Jackie. I also had popcorn."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

 "I had a great time at the Fall party. I liked all of the food we had. It was very fun!"

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

Mark and his peer mentor Phil have been forming a great bond here at BELL!

"The movie was awesome. We all had a great time. We have got to do it again soon. I think I'm going to bring my dip again next time because everyone enjoyed it!"

-Dalton, student with the BELL Program

Erica and her peer mentor, Dorothy, share a smile.

"Godzilla 2014 was better than Godzilla 1998. The party was a fun time for everyone!"

-Austin, student with the BELL Program

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Tyler and Jaime here are socializing and playing a game of Connect Four. By the look on Jaime's face, it appears that Tyler might be winning!

Students here are listening intently during a lecture presented 

by peer mentors Phil and Jaime.

Tyler enjoying a walk around campus with peer mentor Jaime.

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The Week in Review

Wow! This week sure flew by fast. I guess that's what happens when you're working hard and having fun at the same time! Please see below for some highlights from the past week.

"My mentor Phil and I played basketball and did my homework together which is very important. We got caramel mocha frozen coffees with whipped cream and no cherries at the library. Phil and I made new friends at the library and gym."  

- Mark, student with the BELL Program

Here, Heather and Tyler volunteer by delivering meals to participants of Meals on Wheels.

All students including Austin and Mark are given the opportunity to help those in need while learning new skills in the process.

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On Friday, September 26th students were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Inauguration of President Deana Porterfield.

"I had a good time at the Inauguration. I enjoyed getting to see President Porterfield. A band played and they were great."   

- Tyler, student with the BELL Program

The group is all smiles as they head to the Inauguration.

"I liked today because we got to see the new President, Mrs. Porterfield. Me and Amelia went to chapel together and it was very good. I went to BT's with her and that was good too."    

- Heather, student with the BELL Program

Erica is dressed for the occasion and looking fabulous!

"The Inauguration was good and I liked to see the new President, Deana Porterfield, receive her Presidential Medal. I liked the cross in the procession. I think that's the best job ever here at Roberts!"  

- Mark, student with the BELL Program

"The Inauguration was wonderful and the music was beautiful. I think President Porterfield is going to be a great success at the college because I believe in her the same as I do in God."  

- Dalton, student with the BELL Program

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SMILE! You're on candid camera. Tyler had fun hanging out with his mentors and shooting some hoops in the gym this week.

He shoots...

HE SCORES!

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