2025 SEA Wraps Up with Accolades from Parents

IDS’s Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) officially wrapped up on July 31, 2025, with student participants receiving certificates of completion, professional references for jobs well done, and – of course – paychecks!

This year’s SEA kicked off on Monday, June 2 with over 40 students enrolled from the Pine Belt and Gulf Coast regions. The week began with interactive workforce training that included sessions on professionalism, self-advocacy, accommodations in the workplace, stress management, resume creation, and interviewing essentials. This year, workshop activities were centered around a Pokémon theme.

After their week of SEA interactive workforce training, students were placed in paid summer internships where they were able to gain valuable real-world work experience. This year, SEA students worked in a variety of fields including office administration, technology, animal care, education, food service, and many others. IDS is proud to work alongside various business partners including, but not limited to, Traintastic, 34th Street Wholistic Garden, Flower Patch Florist and Sweet Tooth Bakery, USM Itech, Subway at Seymour’s, Long Beach Senior and Activity Center, Goodwill, East Marion Elementary School, and the Humane Society of South Mississippi.

Throughout the summer, IDS received so much praise and support from SEA parents.

Audra, mom of SEA student Jackson, stated, “Jackson is happy as a clam. He was able to give some of our family and friends a tour today at his internship site. He has blossomed this summer. We are so grateful. Thank you all so much.”

Another supportive parent, Henry, stated, “My daughter attended the IDS Summer Enrichment Academy summer jobs skill program for 2 months . It was the most fun my daughter has had in years. Every day they had different activities planned. I would recommend this amazing program to anyone that has a loved one with a disability. Brianna was offered an opportunity of a lifetime. She was excited every day to go to work!”

Karla, mom of SEA student Abigail, echoed Henry’s sentiments in saying, “Thank you so much for the Summer Enrichment Academy. Abigail has enjoyed it and has had a wonderful time. She has been learning new skills and becoming more responsible. This program has really helped her with her time management which is important in becoming an adult. Thank you.”

IDS is so proud of the work these talented SEA students completed this summer. We are already looking forward to another excellent SEA in 2026. The Summer Enrichment Academy is made possible through a partnership with MDRS. For more information on SEA, contact Beth Robertson (Long Beach campus) at 228-214-3422 or beth.robertson@usm.edu, or Joseph King (Hattiesburg campus) at 601-266-4021 or joseph.a.king@usm.edu.