More fundraisers are happening for the Grand Junction High School LIFE special education programs.
LIFE, which stands for Learning Independence for Future Environments, is a GJHS special education program that focuses on helping students learn real-life skills to prepare them for the real world. It is very hands-on and takes students outside, teaches them money management, culinary, and gardening skills.
“It’s all the ranges of different disabilities that LIFE is about, and it gives them the extra support to grow in life and understand what community and being a part of something means,” said GJHS special education teacher Jourdan Devencenty.
In the past, LIFE has sold baked goods and hosted movie nights as fundraisers. The funding LIFE makes during fundraisers goes to teaching and equipment for its members. It is essential for LIFE because the program is so hands-on; it constantly needs new resources.
“Our kids need to go out and seek the things they need. They love being outside. So being able to seek the needs of, like, whether it’s water or just touching and smelling things, sound, things that make sound, a swing will be out there, so they’re working really hard to find everything they need for all of our program,” said Devencenty.
The next fundraiser will be in Apr. 2026, though there is still no official date. LIFE is having a softball tournament and urges people to come or support in any way they can. Additionally, LIFE is currently working on a sensory-oriented outdoor space where the students can spend time doing what they like.
“If there’s anything that, like, you feel moved to be more involved, definitely reach out, and we may have something that you can do. I have a lot of students who volunteer in my classroom during certain hours and come in and work with certain students that they just connect really well with,” said Devencenty.
If you would like to contact the LIFE program, please contact Jourdan Devencenty at [email protected].
