Life Skills Program

The Life Skills program is for students with cognitive and other disabilities who are pursuing an independent lifestyle. The objective is to maximize students' full potential and personal development by:

  • Learning a variety of practical skills required for everyday living
  • Improving social skills
  • Strengthening community connections and knowledge
  • Increasing independence

TRU is partnering with People in Motion — a non-profit organization aimed at improving the quality of life of people with disabilities by delivering educational, fitness, and social programs — in delivering this community-based program.

Apply now for Fall 2023/Winter 2024 (September 5, 2023 - April 3, 2024)

  1. Print, complete, and submit Life Skills Application Package
  2. Applicants who are new to TRU, or who have not attended TRU within the past year, must also complete the TRU Application for Admission and submit it with their completed application package. PLEASE NOTE: the application fee does NOT apply to applicants to the Life Skills program.

Life Skills students needing financial assistance may be eligible for the Adult Upgrading Grant. Please visit the StudentAidBC website for more information.

For more information regarding the Life Skills program, please call 250-376-7878.


Course descriptions

Money & Social Skills - XASE 1100 (Fall and Winter Semester - September to April)

(24 sessions: 12 sessions in September - November 2023, and 12 sessions in January - April 2024)
This interactive course is designed specifically to teach Money Skills (basic banking) and social skills in a group setting with students receiving feedback on an ongoing basis. While learning a variety of money and social skills required for everyday living, students will interact with others in supportive environment. Each week a cluster of related skills will be taught, such as counting and exchanging money. Students will then practice what they have learned in the classroom and out. Social skills will be coached during all activities taking place in the classroom or community. The course is designed to improve conversational skills, increase personal awareness, enhance social competencies and judgement so students have more confidence and can better handle social situations at home, school and in the community.


**Please note spaces are limited. Registration does not guarantee enrolment in the program. Students’ personal development, motivation, and growth will be taken into consideration.

Goals for Student Development:

  • Develop skill sets required for everyday living
  • Improve social competencies & expand social network
  • Learn coping skills & appropriate behaviour in different situations
  • Increase confidence and independence where appropriate
  • Develop students to their full potential

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion students will be able to:

  • Count and exchange money and coin in a variety of settings
  • Understand the importance of savings
  • Display appropriate social skills and behaviour in different situations
  • Self-regulate and exhibit more self-control
  • Understand personal boundaries and etiquette
  • Recognize difference between friends, acquaintances, and strangers
  • Have more knowledge of community resources (libraries, etc.) available to them
  • Understand the importance of safety

 

Reading & Computer Skills - XASE 1200 (Fall and Winter Semester - September to April)

(24 sessions: 12 sessions in September - November 2023, and 12 sessions in January - April 2024)
This interactive course is designed specifically to teach reading and computer skills in a group setting with students receiving feedback on an ongoing basis. While learning basic reading skills required for everyday living students will interact with others in supportive environment. Each week a cluster of related skills will be taught such as recognizing sight words, hazardous signs and reading stories. Students will also learn about computers in the classroom and practice typing in computer labs. The course is designed to improve reading skills and fluency, as well as learn about computers and computer safety.

**Please note spaces are limited. Registration does not guarantee enrolment in the program. Students’ personal development, motivation, and growth will be taken into consideration.

Goals for Student Development:

  • Develop spelling and writing skills required for everyday living
  • Improve vocabulary and reading comprehension
  • Learn basics about computers, typing and computer safety
  • Increase confidence and independence where appropriate
  • Develop students to their full potential

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion students should be able to:

  • Recognize sight words and be able to do basic spelling
  • Read out loud with improved reading comprehension
  • Read community signs and know meaning of hazardous signs
  • Have more knowledge of community resources (libraries etc.) available to them
  • Understand basics of computers
  • Understand importance of computer safety