Hereby proclaiming May 11, 2018 as AAL Day for Temple University's Academy of Adult Learning Program that has provided students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to have a fulfilling and authentic college experience.

WHEREAS, The Academy for Adult Learning (AAL) is a four-semester certificate program that works with students with intellectual disabilities to navigate the academic environment while developing their vocational skills and career aspirations; and

WHEREAS, To be considered for the AAL Program, participants must be between the ages of 18-26; be able to pay for classes; have transportation to Temple’s main campus; be available to attend day and evening classes; and participate in extracurricular activities; and

WHEREAS, Each AAL student has a mentor/mentee relationship with a matriculated Temple University student. AAL students play an active role in selecting their mentors and the matches are often made based on common interests. Mentors help the students as they explore the many resources, activities and organizations available to student population at Temple; and

WHEREAS, As part of the Program, the AAL students become fully engaged at the University; they take classes, go to sporting events, join organizations; and participate in other extracurricular actives on campus; and

WHEREAS, AAL students have access to tutoring support by Temple undergraduates, who are recruited, hired, trained and supervised by AAL staff; and

WHEREAS, The AAL Program also provides their students with hands on work experience. Before completing the Program, the students must participate in a semester long weekly on-campus internship. This provides the students with the opportunity to develop basic employment skills such as: attendance, punctuality, following directions, and building relationships with co-workers; and

WHEREAS, The Class of 2018 will be the last graduating class for Temple University’s AAL Program. The Program has expanded to a 4-year program and will now be known as the Leadership and Career Studies Program; and

WHEREAS, This year’s AAL Class will be graduating on May 11, 2018. We congratulate them on their success and wish them all the best as they continue pursue their goals; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby proclaim May 11, 2018 as AAL Day for Temple University’s Academy of Adult Learning Program that has provided students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to have a fulfilling and authentic college experience.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the AAL Class of 2018 as a sincere expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia’s gratitude, admiration and recognition.

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