Maker Union, a Park City-based nonprofit that supports people with disabilities, is preparing to celebrate the graduation of six students this year — two from Park City High School and four from the Park City School District’s Transition Program.
Simon Jackson and Luis Colmenero will graduate from high school and enter the district’s postsecondary transition program, the same one from which Sam Steppan, Dallin Greenwell, Olivia Weinman and Fernando Suchil are graduating. It helps adults up to age 22 learn skills to help with independent living, job training and navigating life.
Jackson said art class has been his favorite part of high school. He held up a drawing he’s been working on, a rendition of SpongeBob characters as Angry Birds.
“The whole world should know that I’m the greatest artist,” he said.
His and Colmenero’s high school education has been more individualized and focused on traditional courses like P.E., home ec and art. Jackson will go on to attend Wasatch Transition College in Heber City, while Colmenero will go on to Park City’s transition program.
The transition program grads plan to find work in the community, roles that take advantage of the skills and aptitudes they’ve sharpened during the last few years. Some have already found that. Steppan currently works at Silver Mountain Sports Club & Spa, and Weinman works at Utah Olympic Park.
What they decide to do will depend on their goals and what they enjoy. Special education teacher Jen Ward said that, in the transition program, every day is different, giving the students a wide range of experiences to help them make that decision.
“We have time where we go to different jobs, we go into the (Park City) Christian Center, the food pantry and the thrift store. We have some jobs to do at the National Ability Center,” Ward said. “We volunteer with some other local businesses like The Collective Park City and Wasatch Physical Therapy.”
The goal is to practice everyday skills along the way, like learning to ride public transportation or getting along with coworkers.
On Wednesdays, they’ll work at the Maker Union, too, assembling custom gift bundles that the nonprofit then sells online, providing the workers with a paycheck. That’s the goal — to provide employment opportunities that are equitable, enriching and tailored to each person’s abilities.
Anne Peters, president of Maker Union, said it recently opened a physical gift shop at its Sidewinder Drive location. There, people can go in person to buy items like charm bracelets and necklaces, scarves featuring original art and skier-themed ornaments. Right now, the shop is accessed by going through the nonprofit’s space, but Peters said they’re working on installing a door that leads right inside so people can come in and browse more easily.
Peters founded the nonprofit in 2023 as a way to create a safe and welcoming work environment for her daughter. The nonprofit expanded to the Sidewinder location in April 2024 after a successful first year, where they built and shipped over 300 gift boxes.
Friends and families are welcome to attend the graduation from 4-6 p.m. on May 27 at Maker Union, 1912 Sidewinder Drive, Suite 104, and can RSVP by emailing [email protected].