SUMMER 2024  EMPLOYMENT SPOTLIGHT – HARVARD SQUARE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Since the collaboration between Threshold Career Services, Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA), Berkshire Bank and First Parish on the Fridge in the Square project this spring, HSBA has become a valued Threshold partner on everything from employment trends in the square to diversity work. That collaboration led to a summer job for one of our Threshold alumni who took on the care and maintenance of the grounds around First Parish and the Fridge in the Square beginning in July. Denise Jillson, Executive Director of the Harvard Square Business Association said, “We learned a lot about the effectiveness of the Threshold Programs as a result of this summer’s Fridge in the Square Stewardship Project. We are so impressed with our Threshold alumna. Our intern arrives on time and is well-organized. She is engaging, reliable and does not require a lot of direction. We are so appreciative of her efforts and professionalism; it is clear she has been well-educated in workplace protocols and carries them out with dignity and aplomb.” It is this kind of collaboration and networking that can lead to meaningful, long-term professional relationships. HSBA is a strong partner of Threshold via internship opportunities, employment, and community engagement. We look forward to working together for many years to come!  COMMENCEMENT 2024 In May, our graduates took part in Lesley’s university-wide Commencement ceremony at the beautiful Leader Bank Pavilion in the Boston Seaport. It was a day of smiles and cheers all around! Check out a recap of the day here. Another huge congratulations to our Class of 2024!  SUMMER ORIENTATION Back in late June, we had a wonderful summer orientation for our incoming Threshold students. It was a great introduction to Lesley University and the Threshold Programs. We can’t wait for the class of 2026 to move in!  LIFELONG SUPPORT PROGRAM The Threshold Lifelong Support Program is celebrating six months of success! Clients are benefiting from our comprehensive support services, which include Career Training, Residential and Life Skills Coaching, and Social Activities and Training. In addition to these core services, we are excited to have recently launched four new groups for our members: Young Professionals Group: Supporting career growth and professional development. Physical Fitness Group: Promoting health and wellness through regular exercise. Cooking Group: Teaching culinary skills and healthy eating habits (pictured below!). Healthy Relationships Group: Fostering understanding and skills for building and maintaining positive relationships. As we look forward to the future, we are excited to continue expanding and enhancing the Threshold Lifelong Support Program, ensuring that all neurodiverse individuals have the resources and support they need to thrive throughout their lives.  ALUMNI SUMMER FUN Our alumni don’t stop having fun just because the school year ends! This summer we’ve made friends, laughed, and had a ton of fun with events. We’ve been to the movies, visited museums, chartered a Tiki Boat, played Mario Kart, visited Boston Harbor islands, and had lots and lots of brunch, just to name a few!  ALUMNI IN THE NEWS Check out this cool piece from GBH News about adaptive recreation with Waypoint Adventure. Go to the 0:13 mark to hear from alumni Adam Roberge!  MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Happy Summer! We hope you have all been enjoying your time with family and friends, finding time to relax, and taking advantage of the longer days and sunshine. While the summer gives us a chance to slow down a little, at Threshold we have been busy with alumni gatherings, preparing for the upcoming semester, and adding to our Lifelong Support Program. There is excitement building here as we prepare to welcome our newest group of 1st Year students into our Threshold community and seeing our returning students and hearing about their summer adventures. Enjoy the last weeks of summer and get excited for a great upcoming year at Threshold! See you soon! —Jen THRESHOLD STAFF Some old, some new, so let us introduce you to the staff at Threshold! Jen Thorell Executive Director Louise Perryman Assistant Executive Director Susanne Carter Director of Alumni Services Melpo Kalaitzidis Enrollment Counselor and Clinical Specialist Mack Lacy Director of Operations Catherine Horan Director of Career Services Holly Lesperance Career Services Coordinator Amy Gramling Director of Transition Marilynn Hill Transition Coordinator Samantha Aurelio Director of Residential Life and Student Support Stacey Villani Director of Lifelong Support Program Jessica Peck Assistant Director of Independent Living and Social Well-Being COMMUNITY PARTNERS Thank you to all of our returning community partners, especially Youville Assisted Living and the Cambridge YMCA Childcare Program. This year we also have students working at sites such as Rock and Roll Daycare @ East Cambridge, Pooh and Friends Learning Center, Boston Harbor City Cruises, The Open Center for Children in Somerville, Lesley Public Safety, Somerville VNA, Stop and Shop, Star Market, Pixel Paradise, Admissions @ Lesley, Lesley Hospitality, Solutions @ Work, Friday Café, The Haggerty School, Pierce Davis & Perritano, LLP and The Salvation Army. UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS Keep an eye on your inbox for more details in our monthly Alumni Newsletter! Every Wednesday Newspaper Club at 5:30pm Aug. 1st Rollerama! 5:00pm in Kendall Square Aug. 3rd Brunch Club 10:00am at Shy Bird Aug. 7th Sensory Flexible Night 5:00pm at JFK Museum Aug. 11th Harvard Art Museum 10:00AM Aug. 11th Field Day 2:00pm at Sacramento Field Aug. 14th Les Misérables 7:00pm at Citizens Bank Opera House Aug. 16th Video Game Night 7:00pm at Alumni Center Aug. 21st Spectacle Island 9:00am – 3:00pm Aug. 21st Outdoor Concert 7:00pm at Boston Hatch Shell Aug. 25th Six Flags All day Aug. 30th Movie Night 8:00pm at Somerville Theater Make sure you’re following us on social media for updates, job opportunities, social activities and more! STUDENT OF THE MONTH Huge congratulations to our winners from April! We’re excited to continue this tradition. These students displayed positive efforts and hard work in the areas of: – Academics – Vocation – Social development Karena Fox Maggie Fusco Carly Giebutowski UNDERGRAD CLASSES This fall we will have students taking undergraduate classes in the fields of psychology, photography, history, writing, ceramics and more!   Instagram  Twitter  Email Copyright © 2024 Lesley University, All rights reserved.You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Lesley University 29 Everett St Cambridge, MA 02138-2702 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |