A few days before the ground was covered with snow and the air had a biting chill to it, the weather in Columbus was nothing short of pleasant. Nearing 50 degrees with the sun shining, not to mention within days of ringing in the New Year, was actually nothing short of wonderful.
That perfect day was the backdrop for something else wonderful: a group of people, including several Ohio State student-athletes, getting together to do something special for those in need.
This past Thursday, January 7, in the University Suite at Ohio Stadium, the Ohio State diving team worked with students from Dublin’s postsecondary job training program for students with disabilities. The large group collectively made about 50 scarves to take to the James Cancer Hospital.
The program, known officially as the POWER Plus program, is a community-based postsecondary job training program for young adult students with disabilities. POWER Plus works with a student’s employability and life skills to customize a program of transition and growth through job training and related experiences.
One of the staff members working with the program, Katie Sochor, is pretty familiar with the Buckeye divers; her husband,Justin Sochor, is the head coach.
“It’s been fun!” Katie said about working with her husband while planning the day’s events, the first time the pair has teamed up for something like this. “Obviously he has the connections here and I have the students to bring here, so working together seemed easy.”
“She’s a mastermind with these types of projects,” Sochor said of his wife. “Plus getting our team involved with the community, it’s very rewarding. I’m very lucky to have someone like Katie to facilitate these types of events.”
According to the program’s website, POWER Plus facilitates the transition and self-advocacy needs of the students to prepare them for life after graduation. Students’ individual strengths and interests are aligned with service learning, volunteering, job training and employment opportunities throughout the year.
Photos.
Swimming news courtesy of Ohio State Swimming & Diving.