Peer Growth & Lifelong Learning
Sharing teaching, learning, and growing…together!
Peer Growth & Lifelong Learning (PGLL) is a continuing education program that offers facilitated learning, community engagement, personal growth, and experiential opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Vermont.
PGLL provides an environment of collaborative learning for people of all abilities and celebrates everyone’s unique skills, talents, and interests.
In summer 2023, CCS partnered with Northeast Kingdom Human Services and Lamoille County Mental Health Services to create a network of five PGLL campuses throughout northern Vermont.
CCS coordinates this engaging educational program at campuses in: Colchester, Hardwick, Lamoille, Newport and St. Johnsbury
What makes PGLL unique…
Participant-Driven Curriculum
Participants are the faculty and students of their own campuses.
Courses are developed by participants based on their unique interests.
Participants may choose the way in which they want to participate.
An annual class theme is determined by vote every fall semester.
Ongoing Learning
Learning is an ongoing process for all of us: we learn with and from each other.
Participants present on a wide range of relevant topics, including science, health and wellness, society and culture, and the natural world.
We learn by doing. Experiential learning gives us the opportunity to learn in intuitive ways.
Developing Leadership Skills
Through peer teaching, participants gain skills in public speaking, time management, research methods, and self-confidence.
Participants celebrate one another’s accomplishments and let each other shine!
Strengthening Peer Connections
Participants spend time in community with their peers each week.
Collaboration across our campuses is encouraged. Participants write to pen pals from other campuses and can attend class at other PGLL locations via Zoom.
PGLL fosters personal growth by supporting and celebrating participants’ unique life experiences.
Community Engagement
Campuses are located at public community spaces in each town.
Meaningful community engagement is determined by the participants.
Participants can attend course-related educational trips to engage with experts in their field.
Each campus participates in an annual community service project. The project is determined by class participants and assists a local organization in achieving its mission.
Recent updates from PGLL Campus Facilitators
Peer Growth & Lifelong Learning (PGLL) offers facilitated learning, community engagement, personal growth, and experiential opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities at campuses in Colchester, Hardwick, Lamoille, Newport, and St. Johnsbury.