Not every lesson that matters comes from a textbook.
Through an eight-week after-school program, the Kiwanis Club of Niceville-Valparaiso is helping students learn practical life skills ranging from money management to sewing.
The Kiwanis Club is an active volunteer service organization that supports local youth development and children’s welfare initiatives. The group organizes major community programs for children, including hosting a life skills program for the Addie R. Lewis Pre-K-8 School for the very first time.
Seven students met once a week and covered time management, money management, nutrition, gardening, emotional regulation, sewing, hygiene, and public speaking, with over five volunteers teaching the courses.
President of the Niceville-Valparaiso club, Annie Cameron, explained, “It helps the kids. Life skills [are] not part of the school, so [the program] just enhances them to be a better person, [and have] better daily lives.”
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the club hosted the students’ graduation from the course, where they received certificates of completion.
Because the course is a voluntary after-school program, when asked why she enrolled her daughter, Edith Grabowsky responded, “So she has autism. She’s high functioning, but these are life skills. I figured this would be a good opportunity for her to have that refresher, something not in a graded environment, something that was more calm, more relaxed.”
She looked at her daughter, Renate, and noted, “She’s loved it. She’s absolutely loved it.”
Renate has already begun applying these life skills, specifically sewing, and has fixed numerous items around her home. Including fixing a sweater, her backpack, and even a pair of shoes.
The other students in the course also mentioned their favorite topics, with many liking the time and money management classes and gardening.
Ms. Cameron explained that she loved helping the kids, and that if other schools wanted her to host the life skills program, she would be happy to.
“[Life skills] are very important. Before, home economics was taught in school, but we don’t have [that] anymore.”
The Kiwanis Club of Niceville-Valparaiso is expected to return to Addie Lewis next year, with the team already excitedly discussing topics such as housekeeping, etiquette, and cooking.
For their final lesson, they met Chloe the Emotional Support Dog, to help learn how to manage stress. 
For their final lesson, they met Chloe the Emotional Support Dog, to help learn how to manage stress. 
For their final lesson, they met Chloe the Emotional Support Dog, to help learn how to manage stress. 
For their final lesson, they met Chloe the Emotional Support Dog, to help learn how to manage stress. 
For their final lesson, they met Chloe the Emotional Support Dog, to help learn how to manage stress.
