Douglass students learn responsibility at Truman Veterans Hospital

COLUMBIA — Steve Pass, a teacher at Douglass High School, knows the positive effects a job can have on a teenager. For the past 10 years, Pass has taught students in the school’s partnership program with Truman Veterans Hospital.

The program allows 10 Douglass students to spend their school days at the veterans hospital for at least one semester. The students attend class in a room set aside for them in the hospital, where Pass teaches three hours a day. They also work three hours a day in a paid job at the hospital.

“The money that they earn is a big motivator,” Pass said. “It teaches them about personal finance and responsibility.”

Ashley Forbis, a former participant in the program, learned early about the importance of money. Before joining the Douglass program, Forbis worked eight-hour night shifts as a waitress while attending school during the day.

“I was living on my own and paying for everything,” Forbis said. “I honestly don’t think I would have made it through high school without Douglass.”

Pass said money is just one of the benefits students gain by participating in the program. Students’ self-esteem increases, they learn how to cooperate with fellow employees, and they learn technical skills that are transferable to health-related careers.

“It’s amazing to me how many students put in extra time,” Pass said.

Forbis said being in a small classroom environment benefited her the most because she was able to get the help she needed with her schoolwork.

“Pass was always there when I had a question,” Forbis said. “Even now, I still come to him for advice about my job.”

Throughout the program’s history, Douglass students have been placed in a variety of jobs at the hospital, including positions in sterile processing, accounting, food service, supply, clerical support, housekeeping and grounds crew.

More than 100 Douglass students have participated in the program. For Pass, the success of the program can be measured by the directions students have taken after high school.

“We have had students hired by the government, and several have gone all the way to college,” Pass said. “We have even had students get jobs here at the hospital.”

When Forbis participated in the program, she worked in medical records, where she filed and delivered charts. Although Forbis received scholarships for college, she chose to remain at the hospital, where she is an accounts and receiving technician. Forbis said she is happy with her decision.

“I love my job,” Forbis said. “I enjoy the people I work with.”

The veterans hospital receives some benefits from having student employees. Some job positions cover both the morning and the afternoon, which is similar to the hospital having a full-time employee.

Despite being the youngest people in the hospital, the students have not had any conflicts with full-time employees, Pass said.

“The supervisors and employees have had no problem working through any difficulties that have come up,” Pass said. “The other employees of the hospital have been overwhelmingly positive about the program.”

The veterans hospital is not the only location with programs available to Douglass students. Other corporate partners include MBS Textbook Exchange Inc., Schnucks and the Columbia Daily Tribune. Pass said he hopes the programs continue.

“I’m glad this option is available in Columbia,” Pass said. “(The students) are doing useful work that is helping people.”