FIND YOUR PATH
How Can You Adult Easier At TFL?
IN-HOUSE COMPUTER TECH TRAINING
If you’re interested in tech, look no further. You can earn industry relevant certifications in things like computer coding, software design, web development, graphic design or other tech related marketable skills. TFL is a licensed technology vocational school.
If tech isn’t your thing, we still have you covered:
TRADITIONAL COLLEGE
Get comprehensive support while you take classes at nearby Utah Tech University.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Develop hands on work experience with a career mentor in a specific field.
TRADE SCHOOL
Receive mentoring as you train at Dixie Technical College or other local programs.
JOB EXPERIENCE & INTERNSHIPS
Get help to find meaningful career opportunities. In other words, not just fast food.
Meanwhile Be Mentored In All Areas With TechieForLife’s Therapeutically Sound Wrap-around Support
SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT
Mentoring
Benefit from the support you need when you need it. College-aged peer mentors are here to walk with you while you navigate day to day life.
TFL mentors will spend time with you. They can offer a listening ear. Most importantly, they want to understand your goals and challenges so they can help you with your individual plans.
STUDENT LIFE
TFL Campus
Enjoy a comfortable place to hang out with friends at “The Loft.” There are snacks, comfortable couches, big screen TV’s, computers, a common area, and other rooms.
ACTIVITIES
Fun and challenging activities are an important part of life at TFL. Start building friendships. Participate in weekly activities planned by our Student Committee. For example, some favorite ones are pizza movie night, game tournaments, lake trips, hiking, bowling, rappelling, rock climbing, and laser tag.
Get out for monthly adventurous overnight trips or experience. For instance, attend the FanX convention in Salt Lake City. Go river rafting in Moab. Stay at a mountain cabin. Horseback ride through the beautiful Southern Utah wilderness and camp in the desert.
Indeed, these are just some of the cool life experiences that can be shared while at TFL.
LIFE SKILLS CLASSES
In order to make the transition to independent living easier we offer life skill classes. Here are a few of the important topics you’ll be able to learn more about:
COLLEGE CAMPUS
Let us help you get involved. Join groups and activities at Utah Tech University. You might even take a class just for fun and growth.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Be supported in healthy living. Go to the gym several times a week. Be challenged with fun contests. Enjoy being active with friends.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING
Stay involved in the community. Make a difference and volunteer at the local food pantry, Habitat for Humanity, or the animal shelter.
THERAPY
If therapy would be beneficial, see one of the highly recommended therapists TFL contracts with for services.
ACROSS FROM UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY
Student Housing
Living in and maintaining your residence is an important aspect of independent adulthood.
You’ll live across the street from Utah Tech University in our student housing. 24-hour support is available.
Our guy’s and girl’s houses are conveniently located within close walking distance of Utah Tech and TFL’s campuses. They’re nicely furnished with two beds to a room, a spacious kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and a washer and dryer.
Use the house for sleeping, meals and down time. Additionally, TFL’s campus provides a comfortable space for you to hang out and socialize. It has high speed WiFi, big screen TV’s, computers and gaming.
FINDING YOUR PATH TOGETHER
Who Our Students Are
TechieForLife students aspire to become more socially connected and independent while they find their educational/career path.
Typically, TFL students are young men and women, ages 18-30ish. They come to our program from diverse backgrounds.
Students are at various stages in their career and life development. Some students may need to finish high school, others want to start college, and some come with a college degree.
While, some students may need a first job, some are ready for an internship, and others are looking at career placements.
Not All Students at TFL Have a Diagnosis but Some Common Ones Could Include:
ANXIETY | DEPRESSION | OCD | NVLD
AUTISM (WITHOUT INTELLECTUAL DISORDER) | ADD/ ADHD
PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER NOS, OR PDD NOS
FAQ
Yes, we are co-ed and welcome LGBTQIA+ students.
We currently have up to 30 students in our main program, as well as, 12 in our independent condos. Furthermore, students don’t need to be a “techie” to be accepted at TFL. Not only do we offer in-house intro and more advanced certifications, but we also mentor students in a variety of individualized (including non-tech related) educational/career paths.
Students are typically in our main program about a year. However, some may need more or less time depending on their individual needs.
Most students move to our independent housing when they are successfully attending classes at Utah Tech and/or maintaining employment and are ready for more independence with mentoring. Some students move back home. While others are ready to move into their own apartment when they finish at TFL.
TFL’s global tuition includes:
- Housing (2 beds to a room)
- Food
- Activities, gym membership & monthly overnight adventure/trips
- Communal items all students use for example: Laundry detergent & toilet paper
- Mentoring
- Life skills classes
- Life coaching
- TFL’s in-house tech certification program
- Vocational support, job search, career planning, internships, apprenticeships, job coaching
- College & trade school support (including tutoring if needed)
- College class enrollment management
- One session of contracted therapy a week (if needed.)
- Appointment management
- Cell phone plan
We are able to offer limited scholarships from time to time. Because we are a licensed postsecondary vocational school, we qualify for 529 college savings plans. Some school districts have also funded students. This is due to the extensive support we offer their students who still need to complete their high school education.
We are not a licensed therapeutic program. However, we do include contracted therapy in our tuition. Unfortunately, we do not qualify for insurance reimbursement.
There are two beds to a room and four rooms to a floor. Each floor has a kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, and a washer/dryer in the guy’s house.
In the girl’s house there are two beds to a room and eight rooms in the house.
Students have roommates in order to practice the valuable social skills of getting along. While students may not bring a pet, they may take turns caring for TFL’s emotional support dog, Roo. Mentors live on-site. They can be contacted by phone for emergencies 24/7.
Many students come to TFL with what parents would describe as screen/gaming overuse. When neurodivergent young adults have not been able to get their social/emotional needs met they often find online options to be a less threatening social environment. When students enroll at TFL, our primary focus is to help them feel safety and belonging. As they participate in our program they subsequently become less dependent and more balanced in their screen use.
In order to discourage isolating we do not allow computers, WiFi or TVs in student housing. These features are freely available in The Loft, where students are encouraged to gather together.
If a student is struggling with getting up in the morning, we mentor them through that. We connect with them to better understand their struggles. Then we collaborate with them to find long-term solutions. We may pause their phone service if it’s too distracting for them at night. As soon as they can show up on time the next morning they get it turned back on.
Our students come from all over the country. Our students come from at-home living, supported apartment living, other programs, wilderness programs, etc. We don’t endorse or proselytize a religion. However, we will support each student’s religious preferences or otherwise.
Mentors transport students to activities and on errands.
Supplemental transportation:
- If a student has a car or would like to have one, they can discuss permission and arrangements with our Executive Director.
- Many students opt for an electric scooter to easily travel between TFL’s campus “The Loft,” the student houses, and Utah Tech campus.
We do not accept students who are unwilling to come and be mentored. We do not accept students who have a severe intellectual disability. Students must be ready for a college living experience. Furthermore, safety is of upmost importance. Consequently, we don’t accept students who are violently aggressive, act out sexually, actively use illegal drugs, or would threaten the safety of our other students and mentors.
Contact us to set up a call or Zoom.
If your young adult sounds like a good fit we’ll set up a Zoom call to interview your young adult. Provided that the interview goes well, we will invite you to come tour in person. (In case of extenuating circumstances we can arrange a virtual tour.)
