[Iabs-talk] Youth with Disabilities project: Great opportunity

[Dave Wright]

Following is some information about a new youth leadership program being sponsored by Access Living.  Access Living's youth program does some amazing advocacy and community service work in the Chicago area.  More information about the program including contact info can be found below:

 

 

Access Living begins our next series of the YIELDD the Power! Youth Leadership Project on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12. If you know a young adult with a disability between the ages of 16 and 24, this is a fantastic FREE opportunity for them to learn about self-advocacy skills in the real world, the disability community, and community change skills. Also, young people will make new friends and find new resources to sustain them during the transition period after graduating high school. We will be meeting at Access Living every Thursday from February 12 to June 4 between 4 pm and 6:30 pm. The time to sign up is now!

 

We will be having a family/youth orientation session on Saturday, February 7 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Access Living in order for families and young people to meet myself and our peer mentor, Zorytza Rodriguez. Zorytza is a fantastic young woman with a disability who is a YIELDD graduate and current AYLP member, speaks both English and Spanish, and just last summer went on a disability exchange trip with other young people to Costa Rica.

 

I look forward to working to offer this opportunity to as many young people as possible. I can be reached at (866) 957-5303 (voice or videophone, Monday through Friday) or at asmock at accessliving.org for more information. Transportation to and from the workshop tends to be an obstacle, so anyone facing that barrier should contact me as soon as possible to see what we can do.

 

Spread the word! Learn more about Access Living's youth work at www.alyouthinfo.org. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is YIELDD free? Yes! We also provide food at each meeting.

Does YIELDD provide transportation? We have a limited number of spots for paid transportation using a private contractor and select youth for these spots based on distance from Access Living and whether youth can learn to use the bus. We ask that you work with us to learn to use the bus or paratransit, if at all possible. One of the goals of YIELDD is to learn how to advocate for yourself, like knowing how to go places when you need to. 

How often does YIELDD meet? YIELDD will meet once a week on Thursdays, from 4 to 6:30 pm. Our first Thursday is February 12 and our last Thursday is June 4.

Do I have to attend every workshop every week? Yes. We will have attendance. If you are sick, you must call to let us know you can't come.

How old do I have to be? You should be between the ages of 16 and 24 as of February 7, 2008. Younger and older youth will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Do I have to show a letter from a doctor to prove I have a disability? No. 

Will there be a parent orientation? Yes! At our orientation on February 7 from 10:30 to 12:30, parents are welcome to join. You will meet the facilitator and peer mentor, and you can ask questions. You can also meet other young people who will join YIELDD. An individual appointment with the facilitator is strongly suggested.

What will happen when YIELDD ends? Young people have the choice of graduating to Advance Youth Leadership Power (AYLP), a group of young people with disabilities who meet once a week on Tuesday to work on community change projects. We also work to find leadership opportunities for our graduates, and many participate in disability community events like the Disability Pride Parade. Young people also have the chance to work with Carleda Johson, our Independent Living Skills coordinator, to work on skills to manage independently in real life.

Does Access Living offer other programs that benefit youth?
Yes! We offer a girls' support group called the Empowered Fe Fes, as well as a support group for young men called D.U.D.E.S., which stands for Disabilities United in Determination, Education and Support. We also advocate for the rights of youth in the Chicago Public Schools. For more info on CPS advocacy, including transition and IEPs, call Rod Estvan, Education Outreach Coordinator, at (312) 640-2149. 

How long has YIELDD been offered at Access Living?
The YIELDD the Power! Project, has been ongoing at Access Living since 2001. Access Living has trained over 100 young people through this program, and our original curriculum is in use nationwide by other centers for people with disabilities.

If you have more questions, please contact Amber Smock by calling (866) 957-5303 or by e-mail at asmock at accessliving.org (preferred). 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to look up The Chicago Lighthouse on Facebook!

 

Kelsey Thompson, M.S., C.R.C.

Intake | Employment Services | Scholarship Awards | Youth Transition Services

The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired  

1850 W. Roosevelt Rd. ~ Chicago, IL  60608

www.thechicagolighthouse.org

Phone: (312) 666-1331 ext. 3089

Fax: (312) 243-8539

 

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Best Regards:
David Wright

Email: dwrigh6 at gmail.com
Mobile: 512-203-2474

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