The energy and excitement in the room at our PREP graduation was absolutely unmatched! We are so incredibly proud of all the hard work, dedication, and joy our graduates brought to the program.

A huge congratulations to Morgan, Noah, Jacob, and Cody. This is just the beginning of your amazing journey. Don't worry, more pictures to come!

about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
A poster on an easel reads "Meet The GRADUATES Class of 2026." The poster features photos and names of four individuals arranged in a grid: Morgan (top left), Noah (top right), Jacob (bottom left), and Cody (bottom right), decorated with gold stars and graduation stickers.
A wide shot of a large indoor event space with an exposed ceiling and grey carpet. Dozens of people are seated at long tables with bright green tablecloths and at round tables, facing a decorated graduation backdrop at the far end of the room.
A young man with black hair strikes a dynamic, wide-legged action pose against a bright orange wall. He is wearing a white sweatshirt under a colorful, pattern-filled vest and matching black pants with geometric designs
A young man wearing a graduation stole stands between an older man and woman inside a spacious room with large windows and high ceilings.
People sit along a long table covered with a bright green tablecloth. In the background, a light blue backdrop is decorated with balloons, stars, and hanging decorations that read "PREP CLASS OF 2026." A yellow school bus is visible through the window.

🚑 Livingston County EMS visited our early childhood students, and Mr. Jack was a huge hit! The kids loved exploring the ambulance, hearing the sirens, and even practicing being a patient. Thank you to Livingston County EMS for taking the time to teach, engage, and create such a fun hands-on experience for our students! 💙

about 1 month ago, Angela Geyer
A close-up shot inside an ambulance showing a young girl with glasses and Down syndrome smiling joyfully while buckled into a black medical harness seat. An adult woman stands to her right, and in the foreground, another person holds up a smartphone to take a photo of the smiling girl.
A medium shot inside an ambulance showing a male paramedic smiling down at a young girl lying on a stretcher. The girl, wearing red pants, a white shirt, and an orange jacket, looks up happily at him. In the background, a woman holds a toddler and takes a selfie with her phone, while another young woman stands nearby smiling.
A close-up shot inside an ambulance showing a smiling toddler with blonde hair sitting on a black bench seat. The toddler is wearing a green fleece jacket with a dinosaur pattern and grey sweatpants, holding onto a black safety harness strap. In the background, another young child in a dark blue hoodie is sitting with their back to the camera, next to a red equipment wall with black netting.
An interior view of an ambulance where a male paramedic sits on the bench seat, smiling at two young children standing near the stretcher. The stretcher is in the foreground, covered in white sheets with black safety straps laid across it. The ambulance interior features storage cabinets and a large black medical chair in the background.
A wide outdoor shot of a male paramedic in a white uniform shirt and dark pants standing behind an open ambulance door. He is speaking to a line of young children who are sitting on the curb of a sidewalk, listening attentively. The scene takes place in a parking lot on an overcast day with trees and power lines in the background.
What a success! Our MyK run/walk/roll brought high school and Pathway students together for a wonderful day of fresh air, bubbles, dancing, and friendship!
about 1 month ago, Rachel Bechard
A boy in a stroller smiles at the camera while being pushed by a young girl on an outdoor track.
Two female staff members push students in wheelchairs around a track
A young girl in a black coat and black pants is jumping while playing with bubbles
A young woman walks with a floral purse around her neck next to a young man in a blue hoodie and black pants while they both smile at the camera.
A young man dressed in a black hoodie and grey pants has his hands on his hips as he walks next to a female staff member
A group of students in a semi-circle smiling at the camera with their arms around each other.
A young boy holds a staff member's hand while walking around an outdoor track.
Growing curiosity one blade at a time 🌱 Preschoolers care for their own grass-growing creations.
about 1 month ago, Kelsey Mickus
Preschool grass-growing projects displayed in containers with handmade paper houses, fences, and name signs in a classroom.
Preschool grass-growing projects displayed in containers with handmade paper houses, fences, and name signs in a classroom.
It’s Little Free Library Week 💗📚
Our Little Free Library is stocked with some sweet reads perfect for the littlest readers — perfect for grabbing before a park day, reading on the porch, or packing along for summer adventures ☀️
One of the best gifts we can give kids is a love of reading, and it really can start with just a few minutes together each day.
Read outside. Read before bed. Read every day 🫶
about 1 month ago, Lauren Weber
Someone holding a handful of books in from of LESA building.

Time for some fresh air! Our Freshman Campus class had the best time exploring the Howell Nature Center today and learning about native wildlife!

about 1 month ago, Rachel Bechard
Nine students stand on a wooden bridge over a small pond with trees in the background
The STEP students were on a mission today! We headed to the store to return our collected bottles and cans, turning that hard work into some brand-new supplies for our program.

We even found a little time to try on some festive gear—what do you think of the hats?
about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
Two men stand together in a store aisle, smiling and wearing sparkly red, white, and blue top hats. One man wears a grey Adidas jacket, and the other wears a black hoodie and a grey t-shirt.
A man in a grey zip-up jacket and black track pants walks down a bright grocery store aisle, away from the camera. A large yellow display of Burpee seeds stands on the left.
A person wearing a black "Mustang" hoodie pushes a blue shopping cart down a long aisle filled with toys and household supplies. The store's high ceiling and industrial lighting are visible.
Tiny transformations underway 🦋 Preschoolers are eagerly waiting for their chrysalises to emerge as butterflies!
about 1 month ago, Kelsey Mickus
Several butterfly chrysalises hang inside a classroom habitat container

Michigan weather in May: winter coats one day, short sleeves the next! 🌷🧤 Honing those fine motor skills one chalk masterpiece at a time! 🎨

about 1 month ago, Kellie Hanlon
A young boy in a grey winter parka kneels on a sidewalk, focused on creating colorful chalk drawings like hearts and rainbows next to a brick wall.
Little hands, big sounds 🎶 Preschoolers explored rhythm and music through hands-on instrument play.
about 1 month ago, Kelsey Mickus
A preschool teacher leads a circle of children in a classroom as they explore and play different musical instruments together.

Miss Star is the magic behind keeping our littlest learners fueled and ready to take on the day!

From prepping and serving up breakfast and lunch, she makes sure every student has a full belly and a healthy meal—day in and day out—so they can stay focused on the important work of learning, growing, and being kids. 💛

about 1 month ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Woman pushing and pulling carts with food for lunch.

We are thrilled to announce that Project SEARCH intern, Victoria, has officially been hired by Trinity Health! Victoria recently completed her virtual I-9 meeting with Human Resources and is officially ready to join the team.

She will be bringing her talents to the Lake Trust Cafe starting May 26. We are so proud of your hard work and dedication, Victoria! Please join us in congratulating her on this incredible milestone.

about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
A person with dark hair pulled back and wearing glasses and grey scrubs sits in a chair, smiling while looking at a smartphone propped up on a desk. The phone appears to be displaying a video call or a video. The person is in a room with a closed wooden door, grey lockers, and a printer on the desk.
Staff and students working together to prepare food for the upcoming PREP graduation celebration. We love seeing the teamwork and collaboration!
about 1 month ago, Hayley Asher
Staff and students smiling together while preparing food for the upcoming PREP graduation celebration.

LESA had the honor of hosting the MiACTE Board last Friday for one of their monthly meetings.

MiACTE champions Career and Technical Education across Michigan—supporting educators, empowering students, and connecting programs with workforce needs to create strong, high-quality pathways for all learners.


about 1 month ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Nine adults pose for a group photo, 6 standing and 3 sitting.
It looks like a productive afternoon in Laurie's office! There’s nothing quite like the "organized chaos" of a busy HR desk to show that real work is getting done.
about 1 month ago, Angela Geyer
An office setting featuring a man and a woman sitting at a desk. The man, in the foreground, is wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and khaki pants, sitting in a black mesh office chair. The woman is seated behind the desk, wearing a grey sweater. The desk is cluttered with numerous papers, a computer monitor, and various office supplies. In the background, there's a grey wall with floral artwork and a dark wood cabinet with frosted glass doors. The room is brightly lit by overhead fluorescent lights.
Hands-on learning is a total roar! 🦖 Digging into sensory play with dinosaurs and kinetic sand makes learning a "prehistoric" blast. 🦕✨
about 1 month ago, Kellie Hanlon
A boy with glasses leans over a table, focused on playing with kinetic sand and plastic dinosaur toys in a classroom.

Joann Weil recently presented to the LESA Board on the critical importance of Disability Awareness and Disclosure.

Joann highlighted how student goal-setting and consistent monitoring throughout the year are changing lives. Perhaps the most powerful takeaway was the impact on employment—this skill set has become a game-changer for students who had previously struggled with job loss. By empowering students with the tools to understand and disclose their needs, we are seeing them find sustained success in the workforce.

about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
A smiling woman with silver hair sitting in a professional office or conference room, wearing a black sweater and a long silver pendant necklace.
A woman with silver hair standing at a podium next to a laptop, giving a presentation in front of a white screen
Planning for the future! Learners explored resources and support services available after graduation through Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Community Mental Health and Disability Network.
about 1 month ago, Dennette Kreutzkamp
Classroom setting with learners working at tables and one in a wheel chair.
I am incredibly grateful to have been part of the inaugural Momentum Leadership cohort this year. It has been a transformative experience, providing the dedicated space to dive deep into my leadership practices and honestly examine my constraints.

Through a lot of self-reflection and growth, I’ve gained insights that I know will shape my path forward. You know a program is truly meaningful when the session runs over, yet no one is packing up to leave because the conversation is just that impactful. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
A woman holding a certificate of completion, addressed to "Pleasanna Carter". She is wearing a patterned navy top and a light beige cardigan.

You’re never too old for a game of Duck, Duck, Goose 🦆

One of our Communications Specialists, Caton Walter, took a quick break from her day to jump in and play with some of our littlest learners—because sometimes the best moments are the simplest ones 🤍

about 1 month ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Young woman sitting on ground surrounded by small children
Young woman sitting in a circle on the ground with small children