Our Neighborhood Academy

From the street, Our Neighborhood Academy looks like a small storefront on 12 Mile Road in Berkley. Inside, young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn the skills to move from a school setting toward independent living. A former third-grade teacher founded our nonprofit in 2021 after seeing how many young adults with disabilities lose connection and purpose once school ends.

Our Curriculum Program uses the Stanfield Transitions Curriculum to build personal management, career management and life management skills, from goal setting and self-advocacy to job search, money management and healthy living. Job training happens in our Children's Boutique, where students research, buy, display and sell items, and in microenterprises that include dog walking, gift wrapping, document shredding, handmade vinyl clothing, fire starter kits and Happy Puppy dog treats.

Our Social Program adds movie nights, game nights, a pizza club and outings to bowling, escape rooms and the Detroit Zoo. We run four 8 to 12 week sessions a year, typically Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with fees usually $25 per hour, monthly memberships for some programs, and scholarships.