AIS loves the community that surrounds our Leominster, Mass. headquarters. That's why we are so intent on being part of it by giving back through a variety of programs. The AIS Collaborative Program was created to work with area high school, post high school, and social service programs by bringing students and young adults to our AIS headquarters for mentoring and job training. In an average week, there are as many as 23-25 job coaches onsite with 45 + interns. Holistically, AIS provides the site for developing job skill training and participates in daily discussion with the job coaches on how AIS can help strengthen participant's individual educational plans in collaboration with their programs. In addition to providing workforce training, AIS assists each program by providing them with furniture to elevate their classroom environments.One recipient, the Leominster Public Schools, has received more than $125,000 in classroom furniture as well as 7,500 custom protective masks during the COVID pandemic.

The ASPiRE Program: Affiliated with the Seven Hills Foundation, provides five interns and one job coach five days a week.

• This group of young adults, ranging between 23 and 37 years of age, provides support by making drawers for cabinets, recycling waste, sorting raw materials, sanitizing touch spots and sweeping the 11-acre factory.
• They have participated in our annual Earth Day clean-up and celebration and have assisted with our Memorial Day observation by placing hundreds of flags around the campus.
• Each participant is paid an hourly wage with pay directed to each participant through the contractual agreement with the ASPiRE Program.

The Leominster Public Schools, Advanced Life Skills Program: An on-campus four days per week from  9 am - 11 am.

• This school-based program is for post high school (graduated) students up to the age of 22.
• Each week, six job coaches work with up to 17 individuals on site at AIS.
• In partnership with their individual educational plans, each student experiences the manufacturing environment while sanitizing the cafeteria areas at AIS.
• Skill development includes building independence and self-confidence for these young adults.

Assabet Valley Collaborative: Based in Marlborough, MA, this post high school program supports young adults up to the age of 22.

• The ratio of job coach to interns is one-to-one or one-to-two depending on the individual’s needs.
• The focus of each participant’s individual educational plan is specific to each worker with an emphasis on social interaction with AIS staff with the goal of strengthening their social skills.

The Valley Collaborative: This transitional high school program, located in Billerica, MA, provides high school students with skill development, strengthens job skills, cooperation, independence, and teamwork.

• This program has been working in an area of our operations that provides essential sorting of raw materials with a keen focus of staying on task.
• The team also assists with hanging parts to be painted in the paint line.
• The interns are on campus between 10 am and 1:45 pm four days each week.

The Lunenburg Public Schools ACE program: Participants work one-on-one with a job coach at AIS twice each week.

• Strong collaboration has been the hallmark of those working alongside the interns and staff of the Valley Collaborative as the participant's IEP’s drive social skills, collaboration, and cooperation when working with others.
• Two programs support different needs including those from inner city interns and those living in a rural community. This juxtaposition has resulted in a greater understanding and colloboration between the two groups.
• The cooperation and collaboration have been a benchmark for success as a result of the strong job coaches that make this happen here at AIS.

Printable Version of AIS Collaborative Program