Everyone aspires to build a life of which they can be proud. The John Paul II Center for Special Learning in Shillington helps children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from all over Berks and beyond to do just that. Thomas Smith and Julie Diffendal are two of the many success stories to get their start at the center.
Discovering Potential
John Paul II’s faith-based school-age and adult programs are aimed at helping individuals of all abilities to achieve their goals. The center offers specialized programming and therapies in a one-on-one or small group setting. Says Director of Advancement Melissah Jablonski, “What’s so amazing about this school is our ability to look at the students we have in our classrooms each year and to really customize our programs to meet their needs.”
In the School-Age Program, students ages four to 21 receive primary and secondary classroom instruction, as well as help transitioning into life after graduation. “That programming includes working with our job coach out at local businesses to give them varied exposure to what they could do after graduation,” Jablonski explains. Some students then move right into the Adult Program, where they continue developing life skills. The adults in the program volunteer in the community, take regular outings with their peers, and attend behavioral, occupational, and music and art therapy. But according to the center’s Healthcare Coordinator, Pam Traczuk, “they’re not just sitting around and doing art and music all day. They’re doing the laundry, the dishes, helping to clean up…things that they can translate into a job.”
In addition to skill building, Traczuk says the center also aims to “find out what their hopes and dreams are, and how we can facilitate them to the best of their ability. It’s really opened up the world to a lot of these individuals, and Julie and Thomas are a wonderful example of that. They’ve really made the most of their opportunities.”
Thomas Smith
Full-Time Associate at Real Pets & Self-Proclaimed Zookeeper
Thomas attended public school until age 13, but struggled with being accepted. When his case worker told his family about JPII, they scheduled a visit. Thomas bonded with Traczuk early, and she worked with him for the duration of his time at the center. “I know he had a tough time in public school; he used to talk about that a lot,” she shares. “The teachers didn’t really understand him and how he learned, and he was picked on by other students. It took him a year or two to trust the teachers and the other students [here], but once he did, he really blossomed. It was a great fit for him.”
In school, Thomas excelled at math, but cited gym as his favorite class; he even participated in the Berks County Special Olympics for several years thanks to a partnership program with the school. But what Thomas remembers most about school is not what he learned in the classroom, rather, it’s the friends he made and the experiences he had to help prepare him for life after graduation. “A lot of my good memories were at John Paul II,” Thomas shares. “The people were very nice. They were very helpful and caring, and it’s always good to learn about God. God is very important in my life.”
A few years after Thomas joined JPII, he began working with a job coach on skills he could use to find work after graduation. “I really liked the jobs. We went out into the community, me and Julie,” Thomas remembers. “We went to Outback and the Animal Rescue League. That was my favorite; I liked to walk the dogs. It prepared us for when we graduated, to help us get jobs.” All his hard work paid off. Right after graduation, Thomas got a job at Super Pets in Wyomissing, and when the store was acquired by Petco, he was asked to stay on the staff. He worked for the company for nearly seven years before moving to Womelsdorf with his family, where he quickly earned a full-time position at Real Pets. He works five days a week, helping to care for the birds and fish and preparing animals and supplies for delivery to pet stores and customers throughout the community. When Thomas isn’t working, he’s taking care of his own pets. He jokes, “I’ve got a zoo in my house. I love animals.” He also helps with the cooking and lawn care at home; both are skills he learned at JPII.
Julie Diffendal
Rock and Roll Guitarist & Prep Cook for Outback Steakhouse
Julie attended JPII from the age of four and successfully graduated in 2010. Her mother Judy shares that her schooling at the center “was a good experience for all of us. The small environment, the low teacher-to-student ratio and the faith-based environment were very important to us. There was a sense that when you’re there you’re part of a family, and everybody individually is very important.”
Some of Julie’s first work experience was at Outback Steakhouse, where she and the other students learned what it takes to help prepare meals for the restaurant’s customers, and it left quite an impression. “After she graduated, she really wanted to work there, but the agency we were working with at the time was concerned about the constant change of activity and noise in a kitchen,” Judy remembers. “But Julie really wanted to work there so I encouraged them to help her, and she started a few months after she graduated.” Julie is now one of Outback’s longest tenured employees; she will be celebrating her 14th work anniversary this fall. She was even named Outbacker of the Month in November of 2018. Julie helps with prep work in the kitchen three days a week, and although she has memorized the exact portions for everything on the menu, one of her greatest talents is helping her fellow co-workers. “Julie is liked at work. One of the things her co-workers always comment on is how she’s always ready and excited for work. So, when other people are having a bad day, she’s often the one who brings them up.”
On her days off, Julie attends JPII’s Adult Program, where she and her friends have the opportunity to venture out into the community. “She’s getting to do things independently from us. Sure, we could take her to the museum or shopping, but getting to do it with her friends gives her a sense of independence.” She also has a chance to give back. Julie volunteers at the food pantry at Reformation Church in Exeter Township, where she helps to package and serve food for those in need.
After a busy day, Julie still helps to prepare dinner for the family, has regular chores around the house, and even works in the garden. Her neighbors hire her once a week to help with planting flowers, filling the birdbaths and pulling weeds. When she’s not hard at work, Julie’s practicing her guitar or dancing. Her favorite kind of music is “rockin’ and rollin!”
Get Involved
For those interested in attending, registration is open year-round. New students and adults start with a 30-day trial period, during which they can try all the classes and therapies available and determine whether JPII is the right fit. “If we can help a child, then this is where they need to be,” Jablonski says. “That is regardless of religion or the ability to pay. If students are not receiving support to pay for their tuition here, we offset those costs, so it’s not overwhelming for any of our parents.”
To learn more visit johnpauliicenter.org or call 610.777.0605.
