Bringing Joy, Routine, and Support Throughout the Holiday Season
The holiday season is filled with lights, laughter, and moments of celebration — but it can also bring big changes to daily routines. Our programs are here to support students with structure, connection, and meaningful learning throughout Winter Break and into the new year.
With cozy themes, festive activities, and skill-building lessons, each group will enjoy a warm and consistent experience during this special time of year.
Grab a blanket and some hot cocoa — here’s what’s coming up! ☕🎄
🎁 SMALL GROUPS: Winter Break Series
Each week offers students a festive, predictable theme to help maintain routine and comfort during the holiday season.
🎄 Week 1 — Holidays
We’ll journey through winter celebrations from around the world — from Hanukkah lights to Christmas traditions, Kwanzaa principles, New Year customs, and more. Students explore cultural meanings, share their favorite traditions, and participate in themed crafts and gratitude reflections. This festive structure helps students feel grounded during the excitement of the season.
🏡 Week 2 — Family Activities
This heartwarming week focuses on wintertime fun with loved ones — game nights, craft days, outdoor adventures, movie marathons, and more. Students will plan family-friendly activities, learn how to communicate ideas at home, and build schedules that keep winter days joyful and structured.
✈️ Week 3 — Travel
Whether students are traveling across town or across the country, this week helps them feel confident and prepared. We’ll explore:
• How to choose a destination
• Reading travel itineraries
• Packing checklists
• Winter travel safety tips
• Navigating airports, bus stations, or car rides
This practical (and fun!) theme gives students clear steps during what can be a hectic travel season.
❄️ Week 4 — Winter Break Review
As we sprinkle the final touches on Winter Break, students reflect on everything they learned. We revisit favorite activities, discuss holiday experiences, and prepare for the transition back to regular routines — helping students ease smoothly from holiday freedom back into structure.
💸 SMALL GROUPS: Financial Literacy Series
Perfect for the post-holiday season, these lessons help students build confidence and independence heading into the new year.
🧾 Week 1 — Sales Tax
Students learn what sales tax is, why it’s added to purchases, and how to calculate the final price of common items. We’ll use real-world examples — like store ads and online shopping carts — that tie into holiday spending and budgeting.
🎁 Week 2 — Discounts
Holiday sales provide perfect examples! Students explore percentage-off deals, coupons, and seasonal promotions. They practice calculating savings, comparing prices, and determining which deals are truly worth it.
🔢 Week 3 — Converting to Decimals
A foundational math skill for budgeting: converting percentages and fractions into decimals. Students participate in hands-on activities like sale-price worksheets, budgeting exercises, and money-related games that build confidence for real-world financial choices.
🎉 MULTI-DAY PROGRAM: Job Exploration & Self-Advocacy
As the new year approaches, these sessions help students prepare for future opportunities and develop personal confidence.
💼 Job Exploration Series
Day 1 — Where to Look for Job and Career Opportunities
Students explore job boards, community postings, networking tips, and how to read job descriptions. They learn to identify positions that match their strengths and interests.
Day 2 — Finding an Internship That Works for You
This session explains what internships are, why they matter, and how students can find placements that support their goals. Students learn how to evaluate opportunities and what to expect from real workplace experiences.
Day 3 — Creating Your Resume
Students build or update resumes, choosing strong words to describe their skills and experiences. We also discuss what employers look for and practice organizing information in a professional format.
💬 Self-Advocacy Series
Day 1 — What Is Self-Advocacy?
Students learn what it means to speak up for themselves and why it’s important in school, work, and daily life. Discussions help them identify their strengths and needs.
Day 2 — What Is an Accommodation?
We explore common academic and workplace accommodations, how they help people succeed, and how to know when one may be needed.
Day 3 — Requesting Accommodations
Students practice conversations and scripts to build confidence when asking for support. Role-playing exercises help them learn who to talk to, how to express needs clearly, and how to follow up.
🤝 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Healthy Workplace Series
Start the new year with teamwork, positivity, and strong communication skills!
🎊 Week 1 — Benefits of Making Connections
Students learn how forming positive relationships leads to a friendlier, more supportive workplace. Activities include icebreakers, partner challenges, and discussions about teamwork and trust.
🎀 Week 2 — What Makes a Good Team?
Through group activities — including winter-themed team challenges — students explore traits such as cooperation, responsibility, respect, and dependability. They practice real teamwork skills in a fun, engaging way.
🗣️ Week 3 — Learning to Listen
Students develop active listening skills essential for workplace success. Through role-plays, partner discussions, and group games, they learn how to listen attentively, ask follow-up questions, and respond respectfully.
Your Upcoming HANDS Small Groups & Sessions
