Sign-ups Now Being Accepted for the Dharma Dreams Vocational Center Introductory Summer Program for Young Adults Ages 18-26 with Moderate Cognitive Disabilities
HANOVER, MA – Dharma Dreams Vocational Center (DDVC) is proud to announce its inaugural Summer Vocational Exploration Program, designed specifically for young adults ages 18-26 with moderate cognitive disabilities who are interested in exploring career pathways in the skilled trades.
Each four-day program will run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily with each week providing hands-on exposure to one of two vocational tracks at the Dharma Dreams center in Hanover:
Professional Painting Program
August 3-6, 2026
Landscaping Program
August 10-13, 2026
Location: 439 Columbia Rd., Hanover, Ma 02339
Learn more and Register Here
The summer sessions are designed to help participants explore whether professional painting or landscaping may be a good vocational fit while introducing them to the structure and approach of Dharma Dreams Vocational Center’s future longer-term training programs.
Participants will engage in hands-on activities and projects while developing foundational workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism, problem-solving, and customer interaction. The program focuses on building confidence, increasing vocational awareness, and helping participants better understand potential employment pathways.
Founded by Joanne Burke-Sherman, Dharma Dreams Vocational Center was created to address the need for meaningful vocational opportunities for young adults with disabilities as they transition into adulthood.
There is nothing else like this program on the South Shore. Dharma Dreams offers a new vocational pathway for young adults, ages 18-26, with moderate cognitive disabilities, and this 4-day long summer program lets students sample our programs for free (?), to see if the full-time program starting this fall is right for them.
The purpose of this program is to provide meaningful exposure to vocational pathways while helping participants build confidence, workplace readiness, and self-awareness. We want young adults to discover their strengths, experience hands-on learning, and see whether a longer-term vocational training program may be a good fit for them.
Throughout the week, participants will engage in hands-on painting or landscaping activities while developing foundational workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility, professionalism, and problem-solving. The program also introduces participants to some of the unique elements that will be incorporated into Dharma Dreams Vocational Center’s longer-term programming, including mind-body techniques that support focus and emotional regulation, as well as introductory entrepreneurship concepts that encourage creativity, initiative, and personal responsibility.
The Summer Vocational Exploration Program serves as an introduction to Dharma Dreams Vocational Center’s broader vision of helping young adults with moderate cognitive disabilities prepare for meaningful employment and greater independence. Rather than focusing solely on technical trade skills, the program emphasizes the personal and workplace skills that employers consistently value, including reliability, communication, self-confidence, adaptability, and a positive work ethic.
Participants will leave with a better understanding of the painting or landscaping trades, greater awareness of their own interests and abilities, and insight into how a longer-term vocational training experience could support their future goals.
Families, educators, transition coordinators, and service providers interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Dharma Dreams Vocational Center for additional information on our program and costs.
