A student at Latham Centers enjoys the sun on a summer day, arms outstretched to the sky.

Latham Works

Latham Centers prides itself in creating life-changing programs for our children with complex special needs, including Prader-Willi Syndrome, who call Latham home. Latham Centers’ staff make considerable efforts to prepare students at Latham School for life after graduation at 22 years of age.

How It Works

This involves coaching each student to be job-ready with skills including, but not limited to, craft making, horticulture, woodworking and soap making. Job readiness skills also include cash register abilities, sorting and assembly. Students in the Latham Works vocational program have truly excelled since the inception of this program and Latham Centers’ goal is to maintain 100% student employment.

Compassion & understanding

Student in our Children's Program preparing for transition to adult residential home in California

Horticulture

In the horticulture program, students grow plants from seed, root cuttings, or purchase young ornamental plants to raise. Also, through Latham Centers’ relationships with local businesses, the students receive donated cut flowers, which they arrange and deliver around the Latham campus. Preparing and growing plants and flowers is an art form and allows students to explore their creativity. Moreover, students are stimulated by the colors, aromas, and textures of the flowers, while others are calmed through this sensory activity.

Woodworking

After purchasing pre-assembled wood items such as benches, shelves, and storage units, students (under staff supervision) sand, paint, and finish constructing each item in the Latham Works woodworking program. This program introduces tool safety and team work while encouraging student creativity, critical thinking and fine motor skills. Additionally, sanding and painting are very therapeutic types of sensory work as students smooth out rough surfaces.

Soapmaking: Naturals of Cape Cod

Soap making involves mixing the all-natural, sulfate free, goat’s milk soap liquid, pouring it in molds, selected by the students, extracting it from said molds when dry and then wrapping each individual soap for sale. Learning patience while experiencing creativity, soap making gains popularity over the holidays when staff and community-minded businesses purchase a variety of soaps for gifts.

Holiday Ornaments

Rope Mats and Coasters

Other

Community Volunteerism

Latham Centers’ mission-centric volunteer program allows students to offer their skills at a variety of places ranging from animal care facilities to local churches and elder care facilities. Our residents continually give back to our community at locations such as Brewster Ladies’ Library, Housing Assistance Corporation and local churches including First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church.

Additionally, Latham students take pride in volunteering at animal care facilities such as the Animal Rescue League of Brewster, Emerald Hollow Farms, MSPCA Animal Shelter, Centerville New England Society for Abandoned Animals and Cape Wildlife Center. Animal care allows students to learn life skills, giving them an advantage in the workforce, while simultaneously reaping therapeutic benefits.

To support our Latham Works Program:

Admissions
Let the Learning Begin!

Latham Centers' Children's Program offers educational, vocational, residential, social, clinical and therapeutic resources.

We work with all families and funding sources to ensure smooth transitions. Tax-deductible donations help keep our program going. We encourage those interested in learning more to visit our campus and tour the school.

LEARN MORE

Latham School:

Reaching for the Future

At Latham School, children from 8 years to young adults of 22 years are under the care of a special needs teacher and aide. In small home room classes of eight or fewer students. …Read more.

Latham Centers:

Safe Passage to Adulthood

While some Latham children return home to family or enroll in programs closer to home, others may transition to our Adult Programs or remain on Cape Cod to live independently …Read more.

Ways to Give

You can Make a Difference

A gift to Latham Centers will make a difference in the life of each and every individual we serve. To make it as easy as possible for you to donate, we offer a variety of gift vehicles …Read more.