A page one story in Wednesday’s Mining Journal highlighted what we believe is an outstanding program from the Marquette-Alger Regional Education Service Agency.

The program assists students who are living with disabilities to transition into other phases of life.

The story, penned by Journal Staff Writer Jessica Potila, detailed the experience of Alger Barry, 19, who uses a wheelchair due to arthrogryposis, a condition which limits the range of motion in his joints.

Very recently, Barry learned that he had been hired as an associate at the Goodwill thrift store in Marquette.

Barry, who has graduated from Ishpeming High School, told his mother, Patty Barry, “I’m an adult now.”

“It’s going to give him some independence and allow him to be able to socialize in the community. I want what is best for him and we are hoping the MARESA transition program helps him succeed in his career,” Patty Barry said for the story, which noted there are currently 41 students enrolled in the transition program.

People who are ages 18-26 and reside in Marquette or Alger counties, can enroll. A job coach accompanies students to work during the transition. Prior to being matched with employers, the transition students learn job tasks in a pre-vocational room in the MARESA building.

The story detailed that the students are matched with jobs based on their interests.

Businesses all over both counties have been willing to help the students along their paths to career success, a MARESA official said.

We applaud MARESA, the Goodwill store in Marquette and all of the other businesses involved in this outstanding program.

Everyone very often wins when the public and private sectors work together, as seen in this initiative.