This Month in Vocational Lessons

The Center for Living and Learning's vocational trainees are studying personal finance this month, learning about basics of financial literacy, budgeting and saving. They have also explored making responsible financial decisions and avoiding fraud. Additionally this month they are learning about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The goal of CBT is to recognize and change false and distressing beliefs in order to change our feelings and behaviors. We have been practicing re-framing our perspective by recognizing that situations themselves are not generally problematic. It is our reactions to situations that cause problems.

Guest presenters from Bell Garden have joined us recently to teach the trainees about seed starting and kombucha making. Other presenters from the community have shared about the work of their organizations, such as the Giving Garden, Tennessee Local Food, and the Society of St. Andrew.

In cooking class, the trainees are making healthy oatmeal cinnamon cranberry snack bars. In art class, they are creating beautiful ceramic pieces, including bowls and vases, to be sold at the Center's spring market on May 2. The trainees have been reading The Hitchhiker, a radio play by Lucille Fletcher, which was made famous by Orson Welles in 1941. Because it's written as a script, the trainees have enjoyed acting out their specific parts. We've also listened to parts of the original radio play, comparing the style to current movies and TV shows.

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The Center for Living and Learning is a private non-profit Residential Treatment Facility housing adults who experience severe and persistent mental illnesses. We provide 24-hour residential care and job training in a therapeutic environment with emphasis on the highest level of functioning and independent living. Learn more here.