Children’s Vocational

When a student is offered practical vocational skills training, his or her probability of meaningful employment in adulthood is greatly improved. With a job in his or her adult years, an individual’s quality of life is greatly enhanced. To this end, Melmark has an active and growing vocational training program for our adolescent students. It takes sophisticated programming, patience, and determination on the part of our teachers for a student to progress from learning in a specialized classroom to working in the community. With current statistics showing that 70 percent of individuals with autism are unemployed or underemployed, Melmark’s goal is to help every student we serve to achieve their maximum potential.

New England Job Placements

MNE and the Melmark Café

On a daily basis, students prep and clean the kitchen and cafeteria, perform a variety of duties in the dish-washing area, and operate as cashier, manning the point of sale system for staff and visitors ordering lunch. Students also conduct recycling efforts throughout the school, including sorting, bagging, and returning cans and bottles for deposit refunds. At the student-run MelMart, students, staff, and visitors can purchase snacks and beverages that have been purchased, priced, stocked, and sold by vocational students.

99 Restaurant, Tewksbury, MA

Students portion, weigh, and package food (vegetable or pasta).

Choice Fitness Haverhill

Claddagh Pub, Lawrence, MA

Students do basic cleaning and filling of ketchup packages.

First Baptist Church Haverhill

Friend Lumber, Hudson, NH

Students work in the yard stacking lumber and assist in ensuring a clean, organized working environment.

Hampton Inn, Haverhill, MA

Students work in the breakfast area stocking plates, napkins, and condiments for guests. Students also provide light housekeeping of the area and adjacent lobby.

Jackson Lumber & Millwork, Lawrence, MA

Students work in the yard stacking lumber and assist in ensuring a clean, organized working environment.

Konjoian’s Greenhouse, Andover MA

Students prepare the soil for potting and participate in the cultivation and planting of seasonal plants, flowers, and herbs. Students assist with general greenhouse duties that can include sweeping, preparing products for retail sales, and other duties as assigned.

Lawrence General

Lowe’s Home Improvement, Lowell, MA

Students serve as facility service associate trainees.

Planet Fitness Andover

Romano’s Haverhill

Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant, Lawrence MA

Students do dishwashing (lunch plates, pots, and pans), portioning food, mopping and creating silverware setups for catering events.

Stoneham Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Ulicious in Lawrence

West Church in Haverhill

Pennsylvania Job Placements

Ohana Orchards

Students harvest apples before pressing them into cider, flash pasteurizing, filling and labeling containers, distributing, and serving the drink at Melmark’s staff cafeteria.