[Cabs-talk] LightHouse's four-week YES Academy is back for Summer 2018

[LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired]

This summer, we’re offering youth ages 16 to 24 a new opportunity: to live away from home, attend the world’s largest blindness convention, and gain real work experience in a month-long program based in downtown San Francisco.
Applications for YES Academy<http://lighthouse-sf.org/yes-summer-academy-2018/> 2018 close on May 18, 2018.
The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired​<http://lighthouse-sf.org/> Youth Employment Series (YES) is excited to announce our 2018 Summer Academy for working-aged blind and visually impaired youth (ages 16 to 24). Participants will have access to engaging and memorable interactive learning opportunities as they participate in work-based learning experiences wile connecting with peers and mentors. Prepare to be immersed in innovative and comprehensive pre-employment skills training situated in am empowering and supportive community.
The YES Summer Academy is a 4-week-long immersive experience for youth to gain first-hand knowledge with building their confidence, learning collaboration and how to be a “team player,” identify their strengths and interests, as well as gain a sense of direction through interactive work-based learning experiences. The YES Summer Academy will culminate with youth expanding their web of support, exploring their career interests, as well as be equipped with tools (i.e. a set of professional attire, working resume, interview strategies, etc.) as they continue on their journeys toward competitive meaningful employment.
Learning outcomes will include:

  1.  Youth will have the opportunity to conduct informational interviews with professionals resulting in relevant job exploration, counseling, and labor market information.
  2.  Participants will be immersed in a variety of work-based learning experiences through a series of paid work-based opportunities.
  3.  Attendees will hone their workplace readiness soft skills such as practicing effective collaboration, drafting and delivering an elevator pitch, and engaging in independent living as they collaborate and support one another while they progress through their summer work-based experiences.
  4.  Participants will gain an increased understanding of resources, services, and knowledge in the areas of self-advocacy, requesting accommodations, college education necessary for certain career paths, financial literacy including benefits planning, as well as legal rights and responsibilities of blind and visually impaired individuals.
  5.  Transitional age youth will also elevate their attitude and confidence from meeting with successful blind and visually impaired mentors and professionals pursuing various careers.
  6.  Youth will have the opportunity to practice setting, progressing, and achieving professional and personal goals. They will also learn the importance of informed decision making in order to achieve their career aspirations.

The YES Summer Academy comprehensive pre-employment transition Skills curriculum include: (1) paid work-based experiences, (2) career counseling, (3) transition program or post-secondary program exploration, (4) workplace readiness soft and independent living skills development, and (5) self-advocacy refinement. Our work-based experience component will encourage students to reflect and incorporate their Summer Academy experience on their resumes and be more prepared for when the dream opportunity arrives. The YES Summer Academy also includes an opportunity to attend the annual National Federation of the Blind Convention<https://nfb.org/convention> in Orlando, Florida. This exciting conference will allow students to meet thousands of blind role models engaged in a myriad of work disciplines as they conduct informational interviews, practice their soft skills, be introduced to a wide array of products and services for the blind as they peruse the Exhibition Hall, participate in a nation-wide accessible job-fair, and an array of informative seminars.
Learn more and apply on the LightHouse Website<http://lighthouse-sf.org/yes-summer-academy-2018/>.

If you have any questions regarding the YES Summer Academy, please contact Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, by email at youth at lighthouse-sf.org<mailto:youth at lighthouse-sf.org> or by phone at 415-694-7328.
Applicants must have an open case with their state’s vocational rehabilitation agency or other entity for funding to cover associated costs. Please note that the fee is $7,000 which is all-inclusive except transportation costs to and from the program.


Eager to dive into the world of accessible technology, but not sure where to start? Join us on May 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LightHouse Headquarters for ‘Select the Right Tech’<http://lighthouse-sf.org/mc-events/select-the-right-tech-2/?mc_id=3028>, where you can peruse the latest and greatest in blindness gadgets, speak with vendors and get demonstrations from our AT Specialists. RSVP to Shen Kuan at skuan at lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7312.